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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gfunk" data-source="post: 1282885" data-attributes="member: 1813">Sorry guys, I won't be able to finish. So, here is part 1 of 2. THE END OF DAYS As he had done once before, Tilly’s soul floated through the featureless expanse of the Astral Plane. The last thing he had seen was the wrong end of a Fire Giant’s maul, then the lights had gone out.  The halfling paused and looked at his hands, now rendered incorporeal. When he had perished in combat with the Red Dragon months before, Tilly was raised quickly enough that his soul was recalled before Kelemvor’s judgment and before his eternity of paradise (he hoped) in Yondalla’s realm. Strangely, his soul had been in transit for longer this time. “What could be taking everyone so long? A Raise Dead shouldn't be that hard to come by,” he thought absently. Just then, he saw something on the horizon. As a matter of fact, several somethings. They appeared to be huge demonic worms, with impossibly small wings, gargantuan maws, and an underdeveloped but clawed pair of limbs. Unable to adjust his course, the rogue hoped that his diminutive stature would save him from the notice of these beasts. Several breathtaking minutes later, he saw that these beasts were not living at all . . . but they were ships! Literally dozens of ships were traveling beneath him, manned by many humanoid looking creatures, though from this distance detail was difficult to ascertain. Before he could ponder further, Tilly felt a familiar pull, as his soul was recalled to the Prime Material Plane. ------------------------------------------------- Ajax nervously paced the room as his friends completed their meditations to restore their daily spells. After deliberation, it was agreed that the companions rest in the room where the hags had been slain. On the surface, at least, it seemed that these “false sisters” had no contact with the giants, which should provide the party with at least several hours of respite. The deva, cloaked in his usual illusory form of a bald non-descript man, was in such deep thought that he hardly noticed Wathros move up next to him. “Wathros . . . I take it, then, that your morning prayers are completed?” The elf nodded his head, “Yes, and I have also completed a ritual that will call a new animal companion to me.” The druid paused and sighed, “I hope that my new friend will fare better than the last several.” Ajax simply smiled, unwilling to denigrate his friend’s companions. Having no knowledge of druidic magic, the angel was unsure of the nature of the bond shared between the elf and his animals. However, he somehow doubted the spirits of nature would approve their use as mere meat shields. “I must exit the cave and await the arrival of my new rhinoceros, won’t you accompany me?” The deva followed warily. Wathros seemed uncharacteristically gregarious this morning. As the duo bathed in the light of dawn, Wathros seemed to struggle for words, “My friend . . . I have been greatly moved by your actions of late. Along with Pez, Caine, Jules, and yourself I have traveled in the company of true saints. I . . . uh . . . well . . . that is to say . . .”  “What exactly are you trying to say,” Ajax’s curiosity was piqued.  “In a nutshell, I want to take a Sacred Vow and follow the exalted path. By your actions, you have convinced me that the straight and narrow path is the correct one.” “I never thought you would ask that of me. As you know, I shed my mortal coil when I was executed by the Red Wizards for inciting a slave rebellion. My path to exaltedness was through celestial ascension rather than the Sacred Vow. But, I digress. If you truly wish to change your ways, I would be honored to accept your penances.” Wathros bowed his head, closed his eyes and concentrated as Ajax said a brief prayer to Selune to sanctify the occasion. When the druid opened his eyes once more, he knew that his soul had been cleansed and the direction of his life had changed for the better. ------------------------------------------------- Upon returning to the hag’s cave, with Wathros’ new rhino in tow, the companions noticed that Jules had teleported Tilly back from Cauldron. The halfling was busy strapping on his armor and weapons as his companions debated what the next step would be. “It be my opinion, that we cleanse this place ‘o evil,” Rusty offered. Caine shook his head is disagreement, “My friends, surely you will agree with me that the Kuo-Toan shrine was far more evil than this place. However, even there we took when we came for and left – violence for its own sake is the hallmark of demons.” Ajax put his hand up for calm, “Though I can see the merit in both of your arguments, I say that we continue our explorations of this complex. At the very least, we may find additional clues to Alec Tercival’s disappearance.” The party agreed and continued to explore the complex, moving through several hallways with doors responding to pressure activated plates until they reached a throne room of sorts. Seated in a chair with multiple arm rests on each side was a human who exactly matched the description of the Paladin they were looking for. Behind Alec was an exceedingly large mirror stretching to dimensions of 10 x 10 feet. Immediately, Jenya’s divination popped into Ajax’s mind, “Late on the path of Justice, trapped between glass and stone, he weeps where many can see him, but he can see only himself."  “Are you the Paladin Alec Tercival?” Alec’s visage seemed to be both pained and confused at the same time, as if under great duress, “That I am. However, I cannot leave until my quest is completed. The sisters have convinced me to stay.” Caine muscled his way to the front of the group, “My dear Alec, much has transpired in your absence. The armies of Cauldron will surely march on Red Gorge and destroy it without your intervention. You must come back with us to avert this catastrophe!” Alec seemed confused, “No, you do not understand. I cannot leave her until my search is complete.” Having been tricked on more than one occasion, Caine’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, “If indeed you have been influenced by these so-called sisters, then I wonder if you have retained your Paladin-hood. Do you still have the ability to detect evil I wonder?” “But of course I do!” The paladin paused for a moment and concentrated. However, it was clear to Caine, Rusty, and Wathros that he was drawing upon no magic and Alec was merely making a useless gesture. “I thought as much . . .”</blockquote>

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