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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 813677" data-attributes="member: 1813">Session 30 "Entropy's replacement" For the next several days, Joachim, Hor’ahun, and Noir made plans for their final assault on the Undying Temple.  Ironically, their decision not to resurrect Entropy had probably made their task significantly easier as the cult of Kiaransalee was robbed of yet another leader.As they drew up their battle plans, the High Inquisitor considered telling his companions of the undead army, led by General Umarth, approaching Cormyr from the south.  Ideally, Joachim hoped to time their attack on the Undying Temple with the Knights of the Undying Dragon.  Though he trusted his friends implicitly, he decided that it would probably be for the best if he remained silent.  If any of them was to be captured and tortured by the Kiarnasalites, he did not want to chance that his friends would be forced to reveal this crucial piece of information.Their objective was to destroy the orb at the center of the Undying Temple itself, rather than attempt to eliminate its myriad inhabitants.  After extensive consultations with High Justice Darius, the group had learned that channeling sufficient positive energy into the orb could destroy it.  While Joachim and Hor’ahun held off attackers, Noir would call on the Red Knight to destroy the sphere.  The only question was if they could survive long enough for the paladin to pull it off.-------------------------------------------------------------On the morning of their departure, the Inquisitor awoke first.  As always, he began his morning with a prayer to the lord of justice.  Just as he completed the ritual, he heard a loud rapping on his door.“Enter.”A young acolyte entered and bowed low.  “High Inquisitor, there is a guest who is requesting to see you.”“So early?  Who is it?”“Forgive me Inquisitor, but he would not give his name.  And, if I may be so bold, he does not look to be the reputable type.”“I understand, tell him that I will meet him in a few moments.”“Yes, sir.”Quickly donning his full plate with the help of an attendant, Joachim strode towards the temple foyer.  Curiously, there was no visitor to be found.  He exited the building and saw a young man with close-cropped blond hair.  Wrapped in a dark cloak, he wore leather armor and a short sword scabbard hung loosely at his side.  He arched an eyebrow at the cleric approaching him.“High Inquisitor Dethick?”“I am.  What can I do for you?”“High Inquisitor, my name is Nurn.  I would like to speak to you and your companions, especially the one called Entropy.  Is she available?”The bluntness of the question caught Joachim totally off guard and, by his expression, Nurn quickly concluded that something was amiss, “I take it she is indisposed at the moment?”“I am afraid that she is deceased.”The blonde man frowned, “This is most unfortunate, though I take it that you will resurrect her in the near future?”This time, Joachim’s expression betrayed nothing, “I’m afraid not.  Her crimes were grave and I will not be party to subjecting Toril to her madness once again.”Nurn let out a long sigh, “I see there is much that we need to discuss.  May I have a moment of your time, High Inquisitor?”“Of course, though it would be more comfortable in my personal quarters,” Joachim gestured towards the Temple and began ascending the stairs.  Nurn did not follow.“Forgive me Inquisitor, but I am uncomfortable in such . . . holy places.  Perhaps we could continue this conversation outside?”Joachim immediately became suspicious, but dismissed it.  Who would be foolish enough to attack him in plain view of dozens of powerful clerics?  “As you wish.”-------------------------------------------------------------“The being which slew Entropy is known as the Cathezar.  She is a tremendously powerful assassin, known and feared throughout the Abyss.  The Cathezar is a servant of Aameul, an abyssal lord.  Why do you suppose he would send one of his most valued retainers to attack you?”Joachim snorted derisively, “Over the course of the last few years we have made our share of enemies.  Where to begin?  We slew Lolth’s daughter Laveth in the Demonweb Pits.  We killed Irae T’ssaren, the Chosen of Kiaransalee.  The list is endless!”“What do you know of the great druid Dydd?”Joachim paused for a moment to consider his words, “That name is familiar to me.  She was the slayer of the Great Wyrm Nalavara, correct?  Though Nalavara has long since been banished from the Prime, her heart was apparently a source of power for her mortal agents.  We slew the vampire wizard Gulthias, who was trying to create a cult in the Wyrm’s name.”“Intriguing.  Would it surprise you to know that Entropy is a direct descendent of Dydd?”The shocked expression on Joachim’s face was priceless.“What!!  How can such a foul, untrustworthy woman be related to so noble a hero?  You must be mistaken!”Nurn shook his head, “I’m afraid not.  You see, the Cathezar believes Entropy to be the last living descendent of Dydd.  For some reason, the Cathezar is trying to appropriate your sorcerer friend for her master Aameul.  Though I know not exactly the reason why, I have heard that it is to ‘tame the wyrm.’  Perhaps the beast the Cathezar referred to was this Nalavara.”Joachim’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, “Who are you Nurn?  Why do you tell me this?”“Yes, I must earn your trust.  My liege is known as Hethradiah and he is opposed to Aameul in this matter.  More I cannot say, for I have vowed never to reveal my master’s true identity.”“You come out of nowhere and weave this fantastical story and expect me to believe you?”“If you doubt my word, you may commune with your deity.  He will assuredly verify the veracity of the words I have spoken,” a smile crossed Nurn’s face as he continued, “You may also wish to inquire about ‘The Bastion of Unborn Souls.’ I have heard the Cathezar mention this term, though I know not what it means.”“You have given me much to think about Nurn, shall we meet again tonight?  Though you have told me much, there is much more information I require.”“So be it.”-------------------------------------------------------------Before consulting his companions. Joachim returned to his quarters in order to commune with Tyr.  As Nurn had predicted, the god of justice verified all of the blonde man’s claims.  Disquietingly, questions about the Bastion of Unborn Souls, Aameul, or Hethradiah were met with complete silence.  Joachim found this most disconcerting, as Tyr had never before failed to answer a question.  However, Tyr felt that Nurn could be trusted, insofar as this affair was concerned.-------------------------------------------------------------“What the hell!  Are you actually suggesting that we resurrect Entropy anyway,” the Githzerai regarded Joachim with an expression of incredulity.“Yes, I’m afraid that Nurn’s statements are correct.  If we do not return Entropy to life then, sooner or later, she will be collected by agents of Aameul.  Though I have never heard of this creature, he must be powerful indeed if Tyr cannot provide me with information about it.”“So are we to protect Entropy then,” Noir queried, “or do we imprison her?”“That remains to be seen.  Entropy is very well-versed in extraplanar lore, perhaps she will be able to make sense of this dilemma better than we.”-------------------------------------------------------------That night, the trio of adventurers left the temple and saw Nurn waiting for them.“So what have you decided?”“Your words are true, Nurn.  We will bring back Entropy.  But we do it only to prevent her from falling into Aameul’s clutches, not out of sympathy.  But we cannot do it here.  I refuse to resurrect that . . . woman in so sacred a place.  Let us move outside of Homlet.”As they exited the town walls and moved deep into the forest, Hor’ahun warily regarded their new companion.  Though he had never seen him before, the Githzerai found something very odd and very disturbing about Nurn but he could not put his finger on it.“What makes you think resurrecting Entropy is a good idea?  She has betrayed us thoroughly, why wouldn’t she simply throw in her lot with Aameul?”Nurn’s normally passive countenance briefly turned to irritation at the Githzerai’s question.  “Yes, that is the way of the Githzerai is it not?  Philosophy in the face of crisis.  Speculation in the wake of disaster.  Your kind sit in your monasteries looking for a truth that will never be found.  Suffice it to say that the gravity of this situation requires immediate action and not worthless conjecture.”Taken aback by Nurn’s belligerent response, Hor’ahun said nothing.-------------------------------------------------------------Nurn, Hor’ahun, and Noir stood in a semi-circle as Joachim began casting the spell to bring Entropy back.  This was one of Tyr’s greatest gifts – it restored life to a being even without a body.  Normally reserved for heroes of the faith, Joachim regretted using it under such circumstances.A brilliant golden tower of light appeared from the sky as Entropy’s body reformed before their eyes.  Blinking, the Alienist stood once again, totally naked but unabashedly looking at her companions.  She smiled as her eyes locked with each of them.  When she reached Nurn, she grunted, “What, is this guy my replacement?”</blockquote>

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