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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(contact)" data-source="post: 602804" data-attributes="member: 41">55—A neighborly visit, threats and all.The next morning, the three Champions of the Risen Goddess hold a strategy meeting, and determine that they wish to know more about the divine conflict, specifically about the demonic ex-servant of Palatin Eremath, Scaladar.Thelbar says, “I cannot vision him, as the spell is not known to me.  But we are not without recourse.  I think it is time we called in a favor.That afternoon, the group stands before the tower of Elminster, sage of Shadowdale, and knocks boldly on the door.  To their surprise, the sage himself answers, dressed casually, and without his customary pipe and hat.“You’re a bit behind schedule, aren’t you?”  Elminster says.  “I expected you two days ago.”“We’ve had numerous affairs demanding our attention,” Thelbar says.  “Had I known we were keeping you . . .”“Numerous affairs of greater import than the destruction of your home?” Elminster asks with a raised eyebrow.“Yes,” Kyreel says.“We have come for a favor, revered sage,” Thelbar says with a bow.“They always do,” Elminster mutters to himself.  “Come in, come in.  You might as well frighten me where it is warm.”The party is led to a cozy study, a bit cramped for all the books, whirligigs and half-finished meals it contains, but the group manages to find places to hunker down and relax.“I need vision,” Thelbar says.“I suppose I could help you,” Elminster says.  “But it is a taxing spell for an old man like myself, and not a thing to be taken lightly.  Who do you wish to vision?”“I would never ask a wizard of your years to cast spells for me, great sage,” Thelbar says.  “I wish to purchase a scroll of vision, that I might make my own divinations.”“Ah, but I gave that business up a long time ago,” Elminster says, a twinkle in his eye.  “Much easier on the writing elbow, you know.  Give me a name, or I’m afraid I cannot help you at all.”Thelbar, wishing to put an end to the sly cat-and-mouse exchange, says “Arunshee.”Elminster pauses, suddenly solemn and suspicious.  “Casting divinations on the gods is neither a healthy or sane past-time, Thelbar Tar-Ilou,” he says. “Neither is toying with me when direct questions would suffice, revered sage,” Thelbar says.“Arunshee is not herself,” Kyreel says.“Yes, the wise ones say she is dead,” Elminster says.  “But how such a thing might have come to be remains a mystery.  I suspect you know much about this matter, if the Harpers’ accusations about you are true.”“Gods-damned harpers,” Taran says.“Lolth has died, and Arunshee is reborn,” Kyreel says.“Lolth has entered the pasoun,” Thelbar says.  “She has returned as Sharlequannan, and it was her birth that the portents marked.  Our accusers are misguided, and their accusations are hollow.  Of course we attend ‘Lolth’.  Lolth is sister to our goddess after all, and has been reborn from a desire to walk the path of good.  We intend to shepherd her and keep her from those drow who would have their Spider Queen back, or worse.”Thelbar smiles at Elminster’s blank expression, then says, “Palatin Eremath is healing old rifts, and bringing her allies to her side.  But we do not have the whole of it, and if we are to prevent the worst we must have the whole of  it.  Vision the name Scaladar, and share with us what you find, revered one.”Elminster agrees, and disappears into the recesses of his tower.  Taran rolls his eyes once Elminster leaves, and makes disparaging hand gestures, then mimics a harp-playing court buffoon.  Kyreel scowls at him, and pinches his arm.A few moments later, Elminster returns, his eyes narrow.  “I feel as if I have been tricked, Thelbar Tar-Ilou, and I like it not.”“Tricked, revered sage?” Thelbar says.  “I assure you no such intent crossed my mind.  Scaladar is the fallen right-hand to the goddess Palatin Eremath.”“Indeed he is, Tar-Ilou, and my vision confirmed this fact.  But he is better known by his other names:  Orcus, demon prince slain by Kiransalee and reborn to the world as Tenebrous.  He has returned from the dead as well, but not quite like your goddess.  Your Scaladar is an undead god.”-----“I do not hold with the party line regarding you three,” Elminster says, after the group has finished their meal of exotic cheeses, hard-baked bread and spiced wine.  “I have heard the accusations made in public, and I have heard the accusations made in private.  Fortunately, my superiors would have me remain aloof, and do not expect me to become involved in these sorts of quarrels.“As for myself,” he continues, “I cannot find any fault with a reclamation of the Far Forest, and the elimination of the fiends that inhabit it.  Further, the rebirth of the Spider Queen can only be to all of our benefit.  But this thing with the other good faiths of the land—can it not be repaired?”“They started it!” Taran exclaims.  “Tell them to rebuild my house, buy me new furniture, and replace my trophies.  Then we’ll see who doesn’t get the hard side of the hand.”“My brother speaks the truth,” Thelbar says.  “For my part, I think you are more astute than to ask the ones who neither instigated nor participated in a quarrel if it can be mended.  I think you mean to find out how we will respond.”“I do,” Elminster admits.“We have greater concerns than these priests and their frothy allegations.  When we have ensured the safety of our people, and all those who are under the pasoun, then we shall see.  I am not the cleric that my companion is, but I am cleric enough to know that the affairs of the gods must be left to the gods.  We will remain faithful to our goddess’ teachings.  In absence of her clear intent, we will approach this quarrel simply, as would any thing in nature.”“I hear the threat implied in your words, Tar-Ilou,” Elminster says.  “Can I not implore you to be at peace?”“Our hearts are not closed to nonviolent resolution,” Thelbar says.  “But we would require a show of good intent that rivals their show of hostility in order to be fully convinced that such a peace is possible.  Do you think that is likely to happen?”  After several moments pass where Elminster makes no reply, Thelbar continues, “Neither do I, revered sage.”Taran leans forward and says, “Hey, if you kick the manticore, you’re going to get the tail.”-----The party leaves from Elminster’s home, and heads for Daggerdale.  Along the way, Taran scuffs at the ground and curses from time to time, bemoaning the loss of his home, and its prized furnishings.“I’d just gotten the downstairs study together,” he whines.  “the Turmish rug was perfect with the stained-wood cabinet.  And now that Sembia is at war, how am I supposed to replace them?”</blockquote>

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