sorry...no dragons...yet
also...this post will conclude, for the most part, the Heroes adventures up to this point. Now I need to catch up with the Stormwolves!
5-6 Tarsakh, Year of Rogue Dragons: Companions' Return, part III
Benito Moltos, Holy Justice of Tyr, slammed his fist on the table.
"We are going to the Chondalwood to return Ellysidell's body and that's final!"
The other members, new and old of the Heroes of the Vilhon Reach, stared blankly and a bit surprised by Benito's outburst.
"We were just discussing--" said Khirin attempting to bring the conversation back to being civil.
"I don't care what you were talking about. Stop trying to sidetrack what we are about, merchant!"
"--the possibility of exploring the abandoned temple...." he finished. His last few words were more muttered than anything else.
For Benito the day had been a harrowing one. Mourn was dying and still a loon. The moonblade was coming back to life. Grim was a basket case personally guarding the body of Ellysidell and muttering weird Ghostwise halfing words interspursed with growls. Everyone, including Lord Bron and Prespur the Translocator were on edge. No one except Souliess had even touched their dinner. Sergei had been assigned to keep a constant vigil on the psion, and he did so stoically. Fortunately, a combination of Benito's and Prespur's most powerful magics stabilized the bard, but Prespur was certain that even their magic would not hold out for more than a few days. Mourn was already re-degenerating and it bothered Benito that while they were keeping him alive, he was being wracked and tortured the entire time by that god's-forsaken blade. It had distracted him during his prayers and rituals.
However, there had been one bit of good news. Golden Fire, Ellysidell's golden flaming falchion had suddenly come back to life. Thus, Benito was even more convinced they needed to go to the Chondalwood and quickly.
"You can go or not, but Grim and I are travelling to the Chondalwood tommorrow. Prespur has agreed to help us once again."
With that Benito left the eating hall and retired to his quarters.
**
In the morning, Benito was touched when all the heroes assembled to go with he and Grim far to the South. Ivan and Sergei signed final orders to their sergeants and Khirin and Souliess checked their gear for the teleport to the south.
After Grim described the Chondalwood, and Benito used a focus--some part of Ellysidell's well-preserved gear--to scry a location deep within the semi-tropical forest, Prespur began the incantation and in the next instant, the heroes were hearing birds and monkeys somewhere in the hot and humid woods.
Grim led the procession and the wary heroes trudged through the thick undergrowth and vegetation. It was perfect for the Ghostwise halfling, but tiresome for the big folk. Occasionally they heard the cough of a predatory cat, but other than the normal animals, their progress through the tropical forest went unchallenged.
The halfling was smiling for the first time in nearly a year. He revelled in the wood and laughed quietly to himself as he popped in and out of the shadows sometimes irritating his party members. Then he saw something somewhere between the leaves and bushes.
He's here! called the halfling as he bolted away from the view of the group.
"Grim!" Benito called trying to follow with difficutly.
The heroes noticed that the forest had grown silent, but it did not seem hostile. Souliess--who had had the easiest time navigating the woods although hot and uncomfortable with all his wolverine hair and fat--felt a calming presence. They heard pipes and windchimes in the distance. Melodic voices carried from somewhere. It reminded Benito of the times when Mourn had sung very small parts of elven epics.
After some time Grim returned.
I know the way. Follow me!
Benito saw a light in his eyes--of joy?--that he had never seen before.
Grim led the party at a grueling pace and several times Benito and Prespur had to use their flying magics to keep up with the woodsy halfling. Eventually they came to a large clearing. In the clearing were countless stone cairins. Still, a ring of menhirs dominated what the heroes approximated its center. But that did not fascinate as much as the creature that waited at the edge of the ring. A huge black wolf with green, brown and silver streaks in its fur, maybe twice as large or larger than any dire wolf that they had ever seen beckoned them forward with a shake of its head. Grim and Benito approached almost dream-like and understanding what needed to be done. They carried Ellysidell and his gear to the center of the stone rings and laid him there, Golden Fire on is chest and Son of Fury at his side. Then they moved back.
The beast stood over Ellysidell and nuzzled him. Benito thought he saw an aura of power cover the fallen wild elf. Then the wolf left unnaturally quiet for a creature of that size and faded from view. Ellysidell stirred and sat up. Grim ran forward diving at his big brother.
Tears were streaming from the halfling as he held Ell tight, and Benito approached and grabbed the elf's shoulder.
"How do you feel?" asked Benito
"Lost...as if I have been in a dream."
The cleric of Tyr looked at Ell closely. This was definitely Ellysidell, but there was something more powerful about him. They clapsed forearms and held the bond for a while.
They saw a wolverine bounding towards them. Souliess nearly bowled the wild elf over and began licking his face; then stopped.
"Uh, sorry Ellysidell," but Souliess could not stop his big, toothy grin.
The group looked around and saw that they had been joined by wild elves who had appeared on the fringes of the clearing. Their quiet approach had un-nerved Ivan, Sergei, Prespur and Khirin, who remained at the edge.
"Come, Ellysidell, who had been blessed by the gods. Let us celebrate your return."
A whithered wild elven woman of indeterminable age motioned for him to follow.
Looking at Grim she added, "Some of your people are visiting with us Grim. Join us and them and rekindle old friendships."
Grim and Ellysidell took off with most of the elves. The rest of the party was led to what seemed a nearby clearing already with a downed boar roasting over a spit.
"Rest, heroes. The gods of the Seldarine thank you."
The Heroes of the Vilhon reach ate and drank grateful of the hospitality of the wild elven people. In the night air they heard the voices of celebratory song and were at peace....
yo left out the part where the Elven dog God actually talked to Grim and Benito. Revisionist history at it's worse 
Well good post and gotta say I am looking forward to seeing what happens with the other group. Hopefully they can get caught up with their timeline and the groups can meet up, that way theirs only one 
How dare you call a manefesation of Fenmarel Mestarine (or was it Shevarash) a dog god!
=) *I can just hear him now... "Too emotional Alberia" in his arrogantly annoying way.... - remind me to give him a wedgie too* 
