Epilogue
The World at War
Journal of Jonas Clurgan, Infantryman in the Mistledale Militia, DR 1373 (Midsummer)
Finally! In our time of greatest need, the champions of the Just God have prevailed! Our commander has recently informed us of the destruction of Nalavara the Red, the greatest and most powerful servant of the Demon Queen Lolth! She was slain by the likes of Joachim Dethick, possibly the greatest living hero in all of Faerun!
Indeed, as we march south through the Dales and into the gloom that was once Cormyr, the peasants tell us that the abomination of soulless births has ceased. No longer are children born as mere automatons, but rather the free-willed souls that they were meant to be. Despite these positive developments, I still fear for my wife Daryia and our yet to be born child. If we, the combined forces of all the Dales (with the support of living legends such as Elminster of Shadowdale, Storm Silverhand, and Randal Morn), cannot stop the drow, then I am afraid that they will spread across Faerun like a cancer.
Fortunately, our scouts inform us that the drow are truly in a state of disorganization without the support of their bitch queen. Tilverton (re-christened Erelhei Cinlu by the dark elves), once the forest kingdom’s most magnificent city, is our first target as we march south through Thundergap. The drow forces there, we are told, have been supplanted by a Fire Giant called Hellspawn. Bah! If that overgrown dwarf has only an army of orcs and goblins to rely on, then this war is already won. However, scuttlebutt has it that the drow have a secret weapon called the “Great Revenance.” Our squadron heads have dismissed this as pure speculation and hearsay and have banned us from speaking about it, lest morale problems ensue.
Nevertheless, we certainly have reason to be optimistic. I hope to liberate Cormyr soon and return to my darling Daryia. Gods, how long has it been since we have known peace?
Treaty signed between Fzoul Chembryl, Chosen of Bane and Entropy, Chosen of the Revenancer
As respective leaders of our people and chosen of our deities, we agree to form a military alliance between the forces of the Revenancer (to include the armies of Tilverton and the arcanists/military forces of the Haven for Extraplanar Learning and Lore [H.E.L.L.]) and the Zhentarim (to include the armies of Zhentil Keep, Melvaunt, and the Citadel of the Raven) to crush the forces of Hillsfar and their ally Thentia.
We pledge our fortunes and our futures together on this oath. Upon victory, Bane will claim the cities of Hillsfar and Thentia with the entirety of the Moonsea being a protectorate (Mulmaster, Phlan, Teshwave and Voonlar have pledged to remain neutral and therefore will not be subject to immediate military occupation), while Kiaransalee will be granted lands south of the Moonsea up to, and including, Shadowdale.
May the unholy alliance of the Black Lord and White Banshee rule over the continent!
Journal of Tharchion Dmitra Flass, Eltabbar, Capital of Thay, DR 1373 (Midsummer)
Blast our truce with Alagarond! Had the slim majority of the Council of Zulkirs not approved this treaty in 1371 DR, we could have absorbed half of southern Algarond by now. It is sickening to hear the many weaknesses our ancient foe is accumulating when we cannot take advantage of them.
Apparently, a group sanctioned by the Cormyrian nobility has somehow ceased the phenomena of soulless births. A pity, emotionless slaves are much more docile and pliable.
However, it appears that the long-lost archmage of the Cormyrian crown, Vangerdahast, has returned. A domino effect of political fallout has followed in the wake of his re-appearance. First, the former Royal Magician Caladnei has relinquished her post and has instead assumed leadership of the War Wizards, the crown’s elite cadre of battle mages. Furthermore, Queen Alusair Obarskyr has sanctioned the use of the remaining Knights of the Purple Dragon, under the command of her consort Ren, to re-take their former nation.
To this end, the Simbul has provided them with transport aboard a fleet of her finest naval vessels. Upon depositing this force in Eastern Cormyr, the navy will then blockade the ports of Sembia – bitter rivals of Cormyr and now economic allies of the drow of Elamshin. She hopes, of course, to divert the attention of the Sembians away from the war, and thus prevent their intervention on behalf of Lolth’s worshippers.
Fortunately for us, this mass exodus of armed forces from Algarond has greatly weakened the ability of the Witch Queen to fend off a surprise attack from us. Already, I have petitioned Szass Tamm himself to intervene in the Council of Zulkirs and launch the invasion. The decrepit lich, it seems, has had his own designs for decades and I doubt he will allow my entreaties to “prematurely” hasten them.
Journal of Dorina T’ssaren, Erelhei Cinlu (Tilverton), The Undying Temple, DR 1374 (Hammer)
Praise be to the Revenancer, for her Chosen has finally accomplished what my mother could not. I stand now on the ramparts of the Undying Temple in full view of our army of revenant undead waiting to send our enemies into the embrace of death. Drow, goblins, orcs, giants, no corpse within miles is immune to the power of the ritual as all have gone from death to undeath.
After the Chosen returned from the Bastion of Unborn Souls, she confirmed with me in private her meeting with our Lady Herself in Naratyr, the City of the Dead. The White Banshee was indeed pleased with her Chosen for not only would she complete the Great Revenance, but she survived the great test of faith – the machinations of Demogorgon himself!
However, the Chosen, despite her success, supplicated the Revenancer for aid – for not only did she incur the ire of the most powerful Demon Lord, but also of the Seraphim, a congress of the most powerful Solars in the multiverse. In response, Lady Kiaransalee spoke the words all of us had been longing to hear! To protect Entropy from deific interference, she would send Trasz, her own son! Trasz was torn from the Revenancer’s womb by Lolth and was subsequently animated into an undead creature of incalculable power.
For now, the Chosen has deigned to stay in the Undying Temple with Trasz, sending instead the idiot Kurgoth Hellspawn ahead to engage the human armies. Behind this line of fodder will be our unstoppable revenant legion led by the Blackguard Noir, who is also in the highest favor of Kiaransalee. For every enemy that falls, our own forces will swell in numbers. How can we lose when our foes rely on death for victory?
Journal of General Umarth (Commander of the Knights of the Undying Dragon), Suzail, DR 1374 (Hammer)
As we expected, our forces have cut through the feeble, disorganized drow forces like wheat before a scythe. It is indeed true that Lolth is no more, for the priests of the Spider Queen no longer have their vaunted powers. Though, at times, it is indeed difficult to tell as they stand before our undead horde waving their unholy symbols in a frantic effort to rebuke us. Was Lolth still present, it would have done them little good as Kelemvor, the Lord of Dead, has decreed that our will can never be subverted – not even by the most powerful necromancer.
After the return of the noble High Inquisitor Joachim Dethick and his esteemed companion Hor’ahun (never did I imagine I would ally with a Githzerai!) our forces easily traversed the Stormhorn mountains. Alphar Turin, who had accompanied us from the start, had informed us that the drow city of Iblith (once the crown jewel of Cormyr, Suzail) was run by House Tormtor, former allies of the traitorous House Eilservs. Indeed, it was this latter house of drow nobles who had attempted to supplant the worship of Lolth with that of the equally vile Ghaunadar. It seems, in the end, we have achieved their former goal for them.
We moved through the mountain pass with ease and made a lightning strike upon the city. To our surprise and dismay, the once beautiful city had been reduced to a ghetto of outlaws and misfits. The drow nobles, it appeared, were ill inclined to fight for this wretched place and all were slain or fled.
In time, our forces were joined by the true armies of Cormyr led by Vangerdahast himself along with four legions of hardened Purple Dragon Knights and War Wizards. In recognition for his service and the undeserving scorn that had been placed on him, Alphar was allowed to raise the banner of the Purple Dragon in the Royal Court. Had my skin and organs not long since decayed to nothingness, I would have shed a tear seeing the fruits of the old cleric’s long-laid battle plans come to fruition.
Joachim has related to me a most interesting tale after having communed with Tyr himself. Apparently, Lolth was not only impotent in regard to her worshippers on the Prime, but her power in the Demonweb Pits has waned as well. If his words are to be believed (and how can one doubt the Just God), then it appears that the drow pantheon has begun to turn on each other. Apparently an avatar of Vhaerun himself has attempted to enter Lolth’s realm and has slain Lolth’s son, Selvetarm, in the process.
Indeed, these despicable deities will do us all a favor by slaying each other.
Journal of Jonas Clurgan, Infantryman in the Mistledale Militia, DR 1374 (Hammer)
Crossing the Thunderpeaks and moving into the Stonelands, we engaged the drow forces for the first time. As reported, we faced hordes of goblinoids led by the Fire Giant Kurgoth Hellspawn. Though the sky was still covered in perpetual gloom – I am told, in order for Lolth to protect her “children” from the glaring light of the sun. But I thought Lolth had gone silent? No matter, I am neither priest nor religious scholar.
Though we are but militia, we were battle-trained and tested and were certainly capable of dealing with this horde of goblinoids. With the support of our wizards, our counter-strike reduced their numbers greatly. Quickly, the tide of battle was turning in our favor. That was, until the revenenants showed up . . .
Giants and monstrous humanoids we understood. We had battled their kind before, and our experience helped us not only to blunt their advance, but to force them into full retreat. But these undead . . . things didn’t feel pain or fear. They simply advanced, silent as death. What could we do in the face of such a force? We were trained to fight LIVING opponents.
Many of my fellows -- humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings -- simply dropped their weapons and fled in terror. After three days of combat they have already torn through our lines at multiple points. My squad has been reduced to a fraction of its number. We have considered retreat, but what would be the point? If we fail, then the undead will destroy our homes, our land . . . my Daryia.
Journal of General Umarth (Commander of the Knights of the Undying Dragon), Marsember, DR 1374 (Hammer)
After our stunning success in Suzail our combined forces – including the Knights of the Undying Dragon, Alphar, Joachim and many Purple Dragon Knights -- turned our attention east, to Pholor Del Rivvin. This was originally the port city of Marsember, but it was now the seat of power of House Noquar, and the primary deep water harbor of Elamshin. It was also the center of the drow slave trade. Neutralization of this city was an important part of our strategic designs, because if the drow managed to mobilize their navy, the Algarond fleet would be trapped between them and the Sembians.
It was here, in Marsember, that we met our first real opposition. The Noquar were not as willing as the Tormtors to relinquish their holdings. Though the priestesses of the Spider Queen were all but impotent, many wizards and sorcerers were still prepared to fight to the end. They opened Gates and summoned large numbers of demons to supplement their own warriors. The battle before the walls of the city was truly a sight to behold: the death knights and revenants of the Undying Dragon, mounted on our Nightmare steeds, flew into the air to meet the aerial assault of Balors, Nalfeshnees and Succubi.
On the ground, the Purple Dragons engaged drow fighters, as well as Maraliths, Glabrezu, and Hezrou. Our own War Wizards exchanged devastating magical barrages with drow arcanists. But in the end, the drow lacked the sheer power of our combined forces.
Alphar and Joachim, the most powerful priests of their respective deities, brought the full force of their divine power to bear, summoning Archons, Angels, and Guardinals to fight back their demonic counterparts. Vangerdahast, easily the most powerful wizard on the field, was terrible to behold in his full wrath. Entire battalions fell before his mighty magic. Alusair and Ren rode at the forefront of their people, rallying them to even greater heroics. The outcome was inevitable, and within one day, Marsember was retaken.
Journal of Tharchion Dmitra Flass, Eltabbar, Capital of Thay, DR 1374 (Hammer)
It appears that Szass Tamm’s inaction has resulted in yet another military success for Algarond.
In the beginning it appeared that the Sembians were quick to react to the threat posed by the Algarond navy, their fleet, largely composed of merchant vessels now outfitted as warships, sailed to meet the invaders.
Sembia was currently ruled by a king…its first. This man was called Loren. He was a half-drow, who claimed to be the bastard son of Azoun IV of Cormyr. For a time, that claim had been validated, and indeed, Loren had ruled Cormyr after the death of his father at the hands of the Tuigan Horde. However, it soon came to light that Loren was a madman. He declared war on Hillsfar, one of Cormyr’s staunchest allies, and sought to have his half-sister Alusair sold into slavery for speaking against him. Eventually, he was overthrown, largely due to the efforts of Vangerdahast, and he was forced to flee to Sembia.
There he made the acquaintance of Countess Mirabeta Selkirk of the Six Coffers Market trading house. The countess had designs on position of Overmaster of the trading council, and Loren promised to help her attain this in exchange for certain political and financial favors. He kept his promise, and won Mirabeta the title…and then promptly had her assassinated. He managed to implicate the countess’ brother, Kendrick the Tall, in the crime, and when he personally brought Kendric to ‘justice,’ he won great support among the merchants of the council.
In time, Loren himself rose to the position of Overmaster, placing several of him most loyal followers in key government positions. With the fall of Cormyr, and the rise of Elamshin, Loren appealed to the merchant council for unification, stating that Sembia must present a strong front, under one leader, so that the drow would not be so quick to turn their attention eastward. The council conceded, and Loren was granted absolute power of the military forces of the country. He soon named himself king, and through many secret channels, he formed a political alliance with Elamshin, with a common goal of the ultimate subjugation of the Dalelands.
Now that the Dalesmen had launched their preemptive strike against Elamshin, Loren saw a golden opportunity to see his dream realized. He quickly mobilized his army and began leading them towards the southern border of the Vast Swamp, so that they might enter Elamshin from the south and reinforce the drow forces in a pincer maneuver against the Dale army. That was, of course, until his naval action was nullified by the warships of Algarond.
In a panic, Loren commanded his armies northward, sans naval support However,huse rule of the country was not as absolute as he believed.
Miklos Selkirk, brother to Kendrick and Mirabeta, had gone into exile after his sister’s death and his brother’s arrest. He vowed vengeance against the man who had brought ruin upon his noble family. He founded a mercenary group known as the Silver Ravens, who periodically launched raids upon important merchant caravans, disrupting trade wherever they could. Miklos had made other allies as well. Bren Columba, a former member of the Vorpal Blades under Alphar Turin, was now the guildmaster of the most powerful thieves guild in the city of Ravensbluff. Bren was well aware of the alliance between Loren and the drow, and he too had vowed long ago to do what he could to undo the dark elves.
He had a large network of spies and informants operating both in Sembia and Elamshin, and through this, he had met and befriended Miklos. He supplied the Silver Ravens with information and weapons, and kept the guerilla war waged by the mercenaries going strong. Miklos had one final secret though. Cormanthor had recently become home to a group of exiled drow who were not Lolth worshipers. House Jaelre, led by Jezz the Lame, were forced to the surface by their spider-kissing cousins, and they harbored no love for the drow of Elamshin, nor for their allies. Miklos had approached Jezz with an offer of mutual opportunity…in exchange for his aid in battle, Jezz and his followers would be receive untold wealth from the Sembian coffers when Loren was finally overthrown.
And so it was, that when Loren’s armies moved en masse to the west, the Silver Ravens and their House Jaelre cohorts unleashed their long-planned revenge.
It would not, fortunately, be enough to overthrow Loren’s iron-fisted rule. However, much to our chagrin, it prevented Loren from entering the Cormyrian conflict until it was long over.
Journal of Jonas Clurgan, Infantryman in the Mistledale Militia, DR 1374 (Hammer)
We can no longer hold! These undead are relentless! Despite ample magical support from Elminster and the Knights of Myth Drannor, these revenants simply arise anew each night.
The full force of the Dales have been placed in our hands and, I am afraid, that we can expect no reinforcements. My only consolation is that reported fighting to the South by the Purple Dragon Knights is going well. However, by the time they reach us I fear we will attack them as newly created undead.
I know I will not survive this night. If, by chance, my journal is returned to my wife . . . I love you Daryia. I hope that our sacrifice here will not be in vain.
Journal of General Umarth (Commander of the Knights of the Undying Dragon), Marsember, DR 1374 (Hammer)
With the southern part of the country now firmly in control of allied forces, Alusair is looking to the north. Vangerdahast has informed her of what transpired in the drow capitol, and she knows that she must act soon or else all will be in vain. She summoned Alphar and Joachim to her, and it was decided that the Knights of the Undying Dragon, being tireless and able to travel day and night, would leave immediately to lend aid to the beleaguered Dalesmen, while the Purple Dragons and War Wizards would follow as quickly as they could.
It was her intent to rally what support she could from the remnants of the Cormyrian people who had been enslaved by the drow. Also, the Cormyrian underground was a strong counterintelligence force in places like Thunderstone. She knew they would be seizing this opportunity to crystallize their own plans, and many of Those Who Harp were known to be aiding them.
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Alphar and Joachim, together on his magic carpet, flew ahead of the Knights of the Undying Dragon to gather intelligence for the final battle to retake Tilverton. Moving at breakneck speeds, Joachim felt a brisk tap on his shoulder and turned to face his mentor, “Joachim! Bring us back to General Umarth, he tells me that he has some important information for us.”
Nodding, the High Inquisitor willed his carpet in the opposite direction as it sped off towards the Knights. Minutes later, the undead horde came into view – most prominently the death knights who led the vanguard.
“Hold, Inquisitor! We have a grave matter to discuss,” Umarth addressed Joachim as the cleric landed in front of the General.
“I have two pieces of information, neither good. It appears that the majority of the Dale armies have been slaughtered and the rest are in full retreat,” seeing the downcast expression on his allies' face, Umarth continued, “but that is not the worst of it. The Simbul herself has informed me of this – so you should have no cause to question its veracity. Elminster is dead.”
“WHAT!?,” not only did Joachim and Alphar look on the Death Knight in disbelief, but Umarth’s undead lieutenants looked upon him with skepticism as well.
“Let me rephrase. Elminster cannot, as far as I know, be permanently slain. However, his material form was destroyed and his soul was returned to his temporary abode in the Astral Plane. He will not be playing any further role in this war.”
Joachim asked the burning question on everybody’s mind, “How? Who could possibly have the power to destroy the Chosen of Mystra?”
Umarth shook his head, “It was not Entropy, this much I know. The Simbul provided me with scant information, but I have reason to believe it is a close associate of the Revenancer herself, we should proceed with caution.”
The Death Knight turned his expressionless skull towards Alphar, “Alphar, you asked me to join this battle for my accumulated knowledge of warfare that spans centuries. In that capacity, I tell you that we must wait for the Purple Dragons and War Wizards to catch up with us if we are to have a chance. Against a being who has the power to defeat Elminster, we can only count on overwhelming force.”
“But that would give Entropy more time to prepare! Who knows how many additional allies she can summon or animate in the days it would take for the Purple Dragons to reach us!”
“I understand your apprehension, my friend. I believe your words are correct, however if you wish our foes to be truly slain, then I can only counsel patience.”
“Wait!”
Joachim placed himself between the pair, “I believe I have a solution. The entire problem, the undead problem is caused by the Undying Temple. It generates the Weave corruption, it harbors all the most powerful undead creatures in this war and most important of all, it is Entropy’s own main base of operations. If we, the Knights of the Undying Dragon, Alphar and myself, strike at it quickly then we can decapitate the leadership of this war.”
Seeing that his companions doubted the wisdom of this plan, the High Inquisitor quickly added, “Ah, but we shall not be alone in our battle. In fact,” he smiled wickedly, “I know of quite a few Seraphim who have quite the score to settle with Entropy.”
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The revenants were waiting for them.
The Knights of the Undying Dragon clashed against the combined forces of the animated corpses of the Dale armies and Entropy’s own powerful minions.
Alphar, Joachim and three Solars (including the mighty Israfel) bypassed all of these diversions by Gating directly into the Undying Temple itself and in full view of the central orb powering the sentient construct.
What they saw was a tactical advantage beyond their wildest imagination. Entropy stood, in human form, concentrating on opening her own Gate to Naratyr, Kiaransalee’s abyssal realm. Well versed in spellcraft, the two clerics and three Solars knew that the sorcerer had to concentrate on the Gate else it would close. Foolishly, she had sent all her minions to engage the Knights of the Undying Dragon outside and, in the process, had left herself utterly helpless.
Israfel flew towards the evil Alienist with unnatural speed, wishing to put her vile machinations to an end once and for all.
However, as he was about to strike the killing blow a small, atrophied black hand emerged from the gate, completely halting the Solar’s momentum, “No, I think not.”
From Naratyr emerged the most powerful creature any in the room had ever witnessed. The being could only be described as a decomposing black fetus with a wet, wrinkled, and bloated humanoid body surmounted by a hairless, overlong head. Formerly Kiarnasalee’s unborn son, Trasz was sent for one purpose, to slay Israfel and punish the celestials for interfering.
The seemingly weak creature had no problem bending back the Seraphim’s wrist and a resounding crack of bone resonated through the room as Israfel dropped his greatsword.
“You should not have interfered. Now, you join me in death.”
With a thought, necromantic energy of incalculable magnitude emanated from Trasz as Israfel’s life force was extinguished like a hurricane blowing out a mere candle.
The next sound in the room was the laughter of the insane. Entropy turned her face towards her foes and began giggling incoherently. Joachim looked at her with a twinge of regret. There could be no doubt that her mind was forever corrupted by the Revenancer.
The Solars, Uriel and Jeremiel, looked at each other with consternation. Though Alphar and Joachim did not know it yet, this being was an Atropal – a stillborn godling who rose spontaneously as undead. Undoubtedly, this was the abomination that killed Elminster and, if they failed to contain it, the entirety of Toril could well feel the result.
Without hesitation, they both flew towards the undead and slammed against it with a sickening wet slap. With the aid of their creator, they willed enough might to push the creature back through the Gate.
“Nooooooooo!” Entropy’s joy was replaced immediately by shock and horror.
Bringing an Anti-Magic Field around himself, Alphar ran towards the Gate and it immediately closed. He closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer. He was given no choice, his Solar companions had given themselves as martyrs and he simply sealed their sacrifice. He hoped that Trasz would kill them immediately – he would hate to imagine such bastions of goodness subjected to the torturous whims of Kiaransalee.
Joachim gazed towards the Negative Energy Orb that powered the Undying Temple. He beseeched Tyr himself, “Oh Just Lord, I have given much for your cause. I have borne many burdens and made many sacrifices. In my time of greatest need, I now ask you for a great favor. Strip this tower of sentience and return it to the bowels of the the earth where it belongs!”
As the Inquisitor completed his Miracle, his surroundings disappeared and he and Alphar returned to the killing fields of Tilverton surrounded by corpses of the fallen.
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In the end, Alusair’s forces arrived, bolstered by those expatriates she had managed to gather to her banner. She was further aided by Myrmeen Lhal, the former ruler of Arabel, and her adopted son, the gnoll barbarian Raf, a.k.a. the Terror of Arabel (ah, but these are tales for another time). Their strength ultimately turned the tide of battle, but it was a brutal, and costly one.
The Knights of the Undying Dragon were destroyed to a man, and though Alphar knew that they would reform, it would take time, and for now, their part in the war had ended.
The hordes of Kurgoth Hellspawn were similarly decimated, and Joachim himself took Kurgoth’s head, causing a full-scale route of the remaining humanoids.
Victory was at hand, but at what price? The Dale army had been reduced by more than half, Tilverton was a blasted ruin, and what remained of the Purple Dragons and the War Wizards numbered less than a thousand souls. It was a hollow prize.
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Elsewhere, events had gone only slightly better. On the Moonsea, Hillsfar, primarily through the power of their Queen, Marissa Jalena, Chosen of Sune’, had managed to break the back of the Zhentarim army, forcing them back to Zhentil Keep. Alas, the Red Plumes were badly bruised by their efforts. They were in no shape to pursue their foes and ensure ultimate victory. The had to be content with claiming Yulash once more, and then returning to Hillsfar to shore up the city’s defenses.
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In Sembia, Loren’s army never made it to Elamshin. When news of the Jaelre/Silver Raven attack reached him, Loren was forced to recall his troops, lest he return to a country that he no longer ruled. At the time of this writing, Sembia has erupted into civil war, with supporters of Miklos waging an ongoing guerilla war against Loren and the merchant council.
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The Dale army returned their homeland, and promptly disbanded. The remnants of each militia returned to their respective nations, and it wasn’t long before the compact forged by the council began to unravel. Each Dale now felt that it had to watch out for itself, and couldn’t afford to lend aid to their neighbor. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.
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In the reclaimed kingdom, if it could still be called that, of Cormyr, a fragile peace ensued. The forest kingdom was a pale shadow of its former glory. Its cities were in shambles, its people scattered and beaten. Alusair reestablished Suzail as the capitol and began the daunting task of reassembling a kingdom that had been shattered. And though Cormyr had been reclaimed in name, certainly not all the drow or other dark races that had taken up residence there had fled in defeat. Cormyr was now a wild frontier land, untamed and spoiled…a land of adventure and intrigue.
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As for our heroes, well their tales remain works in progress. Alphar Turin left Cormyr to find out what became of the Knights of the Undying Dragon, and to hopefully enlist their aid again, should it ever be needed. Joachim stayed on, erecting a temple in Tilverton, and resuming his duties as Church Inquisitor with renewed fervor, determined now, more than ever, to root out evil at its source, before it could spread and bear fruit.
Hor’ahun also stayed. He was a restless soul in search of fulfillment, and the new Cormyr was certainly a place where he could spend time seeking his answers. Besides, a fair number of illithids had been present when the drow fell, and he could think of nothing more therapeutic than claiming a few squid heads.
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Baltana Ssambra entered her former throne room with great trepidation. Once the First Matron Mother of Erelhei Cinlu, she had experienced a great loss of power and prestige in the wake of the Spider Queen’s silence. However, unlike other drow cities like Ched Nasad, she had managed to hold on to power and put down the various rebellions that ensued.
In fact, she had even signed a truce with the male wizards and had begun to consolidate her power – until the arrival of the Revenancer’s forces.
Inexplicably, a giant tower had appeared in the midst of the city. From it, poured legions of powerful undead, demons, and pseduonatural horrors. In short time they had subjugated the entire city and executed the Matron Mothers . . .except for her. And now, she was told that she was to meet the orchestrator of it all.
Ahead of her, she saw several male wizards (obviously they had tried to curry favor with this new force), a cadre of drow undead and a beautiful human female in pitch black full plate armor. On the throne (her throne) was a human woman – or at least she appeared human. Both her eyes were closed but the third eye in her forehead appeared to pierce Baltana’s soul.
“Approach.”
The Matron Mother moved tentatively forward until she was directly in front of her captor.
“Kneel.”
Totally unaccustomed to giving such honors to others, Baltana clumsily sunk to her knees and lowered her head.
A few seconds later saw the feet of this human woman standing in front of her.
“Lolth is dead. Apparently, you refuse to accept the reality of the situation. Despite the fact that nearly every major drow city has fallen to other deities, you stubbornly adhere to your Spider Queen’s tenets though she has forsaken you. However, I now give you the chance to redeem yourself. Become a follower of Kiarnasalee, the Revenancer. In her worship you will find power beyond that given to you by Lolth.”
Baltana’s thoughts raced. Before this incident, she never truly doubted Lolth would return. However, this proposition was difficult to ignore. She had no desire to be slain right now, lest she spend an eternity of torment in the Abyss. Besides, she was a survivor – she could adapt.
“Very well Matron, I accept.”
The Matron Mother heard some casting then, though she couldn’t make out the spell. Obviously it was an incantation to grant her the powers of her new priesthood. However, she heard sounds like heavy weights falling.
WAIT!
Her eyes nervously scanned the floor as she saw the male wizards in the room crumple to the floor.
In fear, she looked up at her new mistress and saw instead a grey-fleshed, hairless humanoid with an elongated skull-like head, noseless face and white empty eyes. Before she could register the shock, she too fell dead.
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Entropy was forming new alliances, in lands beyond Cormyr and its environs. There were others out there of a similar mindset. They planned on a grand scale, and in the new world order to come, Entropy would play a central role. Yes, her mind was indeed occupied with many details, but one in particular kept coming to the fore. Such a minor thing on the surface, but oh so vital. There was a small, practically unknown frontier town on the far borders of Turmish. This town was called Cauldron, and until recently, Entropy had never heard of it. Oh, but she knew of it now, and woe to those poor souls, for they had no idea of what was coming...
