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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 784104" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 27 The resurgence of good Recently resurrected, Joachim lay in his quarters, considering all that Lord Justice Darius had told him.  The Undying Temple had not been destroyed.While Irae T’sarren herself had been vanquished, her soul bound by Darius and clergy members at the Temple of the Triad, it was possible that the Temple could summon another to complete the ritual, allowing the “Great Revenance” to occur.  When Darius conveyed his concerns to the High Inquisitor, Joachim gave a response that the older cleric had not expected.  “High Justice, I do not know how to destroy the Temple.  If you think that I will just blindly journey back there, exposing myself and my comrades to more Enervation and Destruction spells without any clue as to how to bring a final death to the undead structure, you are mistaken.  I leave finding the secret to destroying the Temple to you.  My comrades and I have given enough.  Once you learn of a method to destroy the Undying Temple, I would be glad to be a part of the task force sent to handle it.  Until that time, know that you can find me at the front of the conflict with the drow in Cormyr.”Maybe some of Entropy’s disrespect for authority was starting to rub off on Joachim.  The Inquisitor, one of Tyr’s most powerful agents in the Realms, did not like being sent here and there like some sort of super-powerful errand boy.As the High Inquisitor left the temple, he tried to brainstorm unconventional ways that he could combat the drow in Cormyr.  In that moment, his thoughts drifted to his trusted friend and mentor Alphar Turin, a priest of Kelemvor.  The High Inquisitor had recently saved Alphar's soul from the clutches of the demi-lich Acerak and, at the time of his release, the priest of Kelemvor told Joachim of his own offensive strategies in Cormyr.Disenchanted by the inability of Tyr’s clergy to accomplish its goals, Joachim decided to turn to his friend instead.  He concentrated as he reached out to Alphar . . .-------------------------------------------------------------The name of Alphar Turin was spoken with scorn across the Dales and Cormyr.  Once a very powerful servant of Tyr himself, Alphar was a renowned hero, saving the Dales on more than one occasion from the schemes of evil entities.  During one such mission, he was abandoned by Tyr due to the influence of a powerful artifact known as the Rod of Seven Parts and turned his back on the god of justice later giving his allegiance to Kelemvor, the lord of the dead.Alphar was the leader of a group of heroes that went by the moniker the Vorpal Blades.  The final foray of this adventuring company consisted of a journey into the Underdark against the drow, eventually leading directly to the Demonweb Pits in the Abyss.  There, the Vorpal Blades fell.  One by one they were killed by the horrific demonic beings that resided in Lolth’s domain.  Only Alphar survived, banished from the Demonweb back to the Prime.  The failure of the Blades in the Demonweb Pits was the last gasp effort to stop Lolth’s bid to return to the surface world.  Removing the final obstacle in her path to conquest, the lady of spiders sent her drow above ground and overran Cormyr’s defenses.  Alphar, in a state of near delusional depression, vanished with many tales of his ‘death’ being spread about.Since he was an acolyte, Joachim had begun seeking out Alphar, who he regarded as the very embodiment of justice and good.  Using information given to him by the regent of Hillsfar, Joachim discovered Alphar in the small hamlet of Thunderstone in eastern Cormyr.  Alphar, though teetering on the verge of mental collapse, was leading a small band of resistance fighters in the city.  -------------------------------------------------------------“Alphar, this is Joachim.  How goes the battle against the drow?”The response was somewhat cryptic.  Better than you can possibly imagine.  Before my very eyes I behold that which can defeat the drow.  You would want to see it too. “That is wonderful news, but I have no idea about what you speak.  Can you explain to me what can defeat the drow in Cormyr?”I can do better than that.  Give me your location and I will show you myself. Joachim was very intrigued.  “I accept.  I am at the Temple of the Triad in Homlet.  Where shall I tell everyone that I am going, and for how long?”I cannot tell you where, save to say that we will be thousands of miles from Homlet.  I shall see you just after the dawn. -------------------------------------------------------------Joachim adjusted his eyes after the teleportation spell landed him in a room constructed of stone.  A small arrow slit window looked out over the courtyard of a massive castle.  The castle, a true fortress, appeared to have been stocked with antique style furniture, appearing so old it could have been ancient.Far below, Joachim saw a multitude of activity in the courtyard.  Men and horses were being lined up in ranks, headed out of the castle.  The soldiers all appeared to be mounted, and moved with a precision that could almost be described as mechanical. Alphar spoke, “Welcome, my friend, to Castle Al’hanar in the faraway Eastern Shaar.  This room is my personal chamber.”  Alphar opened a door, revealing a long corridor.  “Please, follow me, so I might introduce to the place and its inhabitants.”Alphar began walking, and continued talking as the two strode through the hallway.  “Years ago, I began researching an old legend of a great army, The Knights of the Undying Dragon.  At one time, these stalwart soldiers served Myrkul, the former god of death.  With Myrkul’s destruction during the Time of Troubles, these knights no longer had a godly master, and found themselves at an impasse.  Serve Cyric, the god who assumed Myrkul’s mantle, serve Kelemvor, the new and true lord of the dead, or find another master.”Alphar's face lit up as continued speaking.  Joachim had not seen him so happy in years.  “I presented my own proposal to the Knights, though I was not the first.  They had already been contacted by another, and had agreed to serve him.  Acerak, to be precise.” “The Knights presented me with a test.  Though they would prefer to serve the god of death, in whichever form he assumed be it Myrkul, Cyric, or Kelemvor, they had already pledged their service to Acerak.  If I could bring about their master's destruction, then they would serve Kelemvor.”“In truth, it was not my hand that destroyed the demilich…it was yours.  Which is why I wanted to bring you here.  You see, Castle Al’hanar is the home of the Knights, and tomorrow morning we ride out for Cormyr, to take it back and return it to its rightful owners.  I wanted you to see firsthand our saving grace, and the triumphant return of the Vorpal Blades to Faerun!”-------------------------------------------------------------The ornate meeting chamber held many banners and a large oaken table.  At one end of the table sat a human in full plate mail wearing the heraldry of the Purple Dragons (the now defunct military of Cormyr).  On the human’s right sat a gnome, standing on a chair so that he could see the tabletop. On his left stood a dwarf with odd tattoos all over his face, a large golden nose-ring, wearing a holy symbol of Dumathoin, god of the mountain.  Across the table stood another human, wearing heraldic symbols of knighthood and full plate armour that, like the castle, was of an antiquated style.  The visor on the knight’s helmet was down, completely covering his face.  The discussion was so heated that the group did not even notice the door open…The Purple Dragon spoke loudly, “General Umarth, I don’t care about what would be more tactically sound!  Alusair has made her intentions very, very clear.  We have enough cavalry here to take on any threat the drow can throw at us.  We need to take Suzail first.  Victory there would be symbolic.  The people could see Cormyr’s old capital restored in a glorious fashion.  It would deliver a strong message to the drow, and would send them frantically fleeing for their passages back to the Underdark.”In a hollow, almost chilling voice, the visored General Umarth spoke calmly, “Based on the information that Brynn’s spy network has provided, we know that they have a large military concentration in Arabel.  We should strike their first.  Crush that army quickly with the element of surprise and then mop up the rest before they can respond collectively.”The gnome looked at the Purple Dragon, nodding his head.  “General Umarth has a very good point, Ren.  While we know that Arabel is mainly inhabited by goblinoids and ogres, it is still a very important site from a tactical standpoint.  It is the hub of many well-traveled roads and its bridges serve as the gateway into southern Cormyr.  The drow know this too, and my spies have indicated that a large drow field army has amassed outside the city.  They are there to defend against attack from the north when the Dalefolk finally decide to act.  They would not expect an attack from 2,000 veteran cavalry coming from the south.”Ren shook his head.  “Let the Dalefolk and the remaining armies of the Cormyrian nobility handle Arabel.  If they ever decide to get off of their asses, and we are done cleaning up the in the south, maybe we can assist them.  Either way, the fate of the drow should be sealed.  What do you think, Thorak?The dwarf grunted, “I don’t care, let’s just get this started.  My axe thirsts for drow blood.  I haven’t entered a battle-rage in many months now.  I will leave the tactical decision making to the generals and gentry.  Just point me in the right direction, and let me kill something.”Alphar cleared his throat, and the debate ceased as all eyes turned to the Kelemvorite and his guest.  “Gentlemen, we have many days worth of travel ahead of us.  We will not have to make a final decision for at least a couple of tendays, so let us not bicker now.  That aside, allow me to introduce you to the Lord High Inquisitor of Tyr, Joachim Dethick.”The group stood up and saluted the young Tyrite.  Alphar spoke again, “Joachim, this is Ren Hilk, formerly a Purple Dragon knight.  He, along with Brynn Columba (pointing at the gnome) and myself founded the Vorpal Blades.  The dwarven Battlerager-turned-war-priest, Thorak Skullsmasher, joined our group later.  And this is General Umarth Al’hanar, leader of the Knights of the Undying Dragon, the order that shall serve to be Kelemvor’s sword arm in the Realms.”Joachim looked at the general.  “Al’hanar?  You must be a descendant of the old lord that built this magnificent fortress.”The Knight responded, “No…I am the one who built it almost 800 years ago.”  Without another word, the knight removed his helmet to reveal a skull with pinpricks of red light glowing from the eye sockets.Joachim gasped, and reached for his sword.  Alphar’s hand locked over the Tyrite’s wrist,.  “No!  It is not what you think.  He is Kelemvor’s servant now.  Attempt to detect an evil aura on him, I ask you.”  Joachim concentrated, and was surprised that there no evil was within the area.“What is the meaning of this?  An undead creature serving Kelemvor?”Umarth intoned, “Strange times makes strange allies.  The act of destroying Acerak by Lord Alphar and yourself convinced my men and I that following the judge of the damned would be acceptable.  Lord Alphar magically chanelled Kelemvor’s power, and all of the Knights of the Undying Dragon were allowed a  chance at redemption.”Alphar continued, “Kelemvor’s outlook may have changed in these dark times, but who can ever understand the inner workings of a god’s mind.  His teachings show that he cares not between good and evil, only the might of law over chaos.  And with his new servants we shall now smite the drow in his name!”-------------------------------------------------------------Joachim peered out the window of his chamber, musing at the possibilities.  Twelve companies, each led by a powerful death knight commander.  General Umarth himself was the head of the First Company.  Each company was broken into six platoons consisting of 24 revenant soldiers, and at the head of each platoon was a revenant leftenant and a ghostly chaplain.  The death knight commanders rode upon nightmares, the ghostly chaplains rode likewise ghostly mares, and the ‘mere’ soldiers and leftenants rode on the backs of skeletal heavy war horses.  This brought the total size of the army to just under 1,900 mounted undead cavalry.Living mounts could only be ridden for a limited time each day, but the undead horses could charge through the day and night, moving at a frightening pace until they reached their destination.  Alphar had informed Joachim that it would take them less than 20 days to reach the southern edge of Cormyr and Suzail.  Joachim wanted to watch the initial charge out of the gates of Castle Al’hanar, but knew that he had to get back to Homlet and the other members of the Triumvirate.  At dawn, the great exodus of death would begin, and it would be impressive.  At that point, Joachim would return to the Temple of the Triad, and from there the Inquisitor would try to join the Dale army approaching Cormyr from the north.Joachim knew that he had to keep the Knights of the Undying Dragon a secret, for the drow had many spies even amongst the humans.Inwardly, Joachim smiled, finally feeling that his actions had made a difference.  His prayers went to Alphar, hoping that maybe this was the old cleric’s chance at redemption.</blockquote>

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