As they approached the shaft leading to the Inner Sanctum, Dameron gave an inspiring speech about how the light of St. Aster had brought them this far. Then he lit his Candle of Invocation, cast Bless, and drank his Potion of Invulnerability. Sausages gave Gruffudd a rainbow-colored fruit that gave him the same benefits as a Potion of Invulnerability when he ate it. Balthasar Hasted himself.
Camwise cast Fly on Balthasar. The summoned Deva carried Dameron and Camwise up the shaft. Gruffudd, Sausages, and Rezyrius mounted Glazhael the Failed.
The Daring Friends ascended the hundred-foot shaft which opened into a massive circular chamber lit by five glowing geysers of crackling energy, each erupting from a draconic head emerging from a long neck protruding from the edge of a five-foot-high platform in the center of the room. The light gathered in the domed ceiling fifty feet overhead, pooling in an upside-down lake of glowing energy that rippled like water. Long, stringy strands of the thick light periodically dripped down on the ground below to flash and sizzle away in a blast of acrid smoke. In the pool above, strange, ghostly shapes writhed and danced; tortured souls, nightmarish fiends, and draconic creatures grinning with great glowing eyes. The walls were inscribed from top to bottom with a scale-like pattern, arching upward in a sinuous fashion, as if the chamber were a gigantic dragon egg or womb. Twenty feet below that, thirty feet above the floor, a five-foot-wide balcony encircled most of the room's perimeter connecting five alcoves in the walls, and looming from each was a magnificent stone statue of one of the five chromatic dragon kinds.
In each of the five alcoves was an Abishai, a fiendish draconic servant, of the same color as the five statues. Atop the platform in the center of the chamber was a large hobgoblin with an air of frightening wisdom and dignity, Azarr Kul himself. Hovering by his side were two beautiful winged Erinyes, Luchia the Luscious and Franchesca the Frigid.
Dameron placed Gruffudd’s Immovable Rod in the shaft four feet below the floor of the Inner Sanctum. As they entered the Inner Sanctum, the Abishai shouted an alarm, and Gruffudd and Camwise were silenced. Camwise pulled a goat from his Sack.
As Balthasar flew over he threw his Orb of Chaotic Assault at Azarr Kul, but it was deflected, so he engaged Azarr Kul, slashing him critically and deducing his numerous immunities. As Azarr Kul cast Antilife Shell, Balthasar struck him again before being pushed ten feet away as were the two Erinyes. The Green Abishai swooped down and cast Confusion on Glazhael, Sausages, and the goat. The Black Abishai cast Darkness on the shaft and swooped into it. Rattled, Rezyrius maneuvered out of the Darkness and shot the Green Abisahi with a poison arrow. Stepping forward, Dameron Channeled Divinity, shouting, “Foul creatures of darkness, St. Aster banishes you from this place! Now flee before me!” turning Luchia and the Blue and Black Abishai. The Red Abishai dashed through the air toward the shaft. In confusion, Glazhael bit the Deva. Flying out of the Darkness, the Deva smashed the Black Abishai, ending the Darkness. Azarr Kul cast Freedom of Movement on himself. Swooping down, the White Abishai clawed Camwise’s goat, prompting Balthasar to leap down and slash it in retaliation. Leveling a finger at Balthasar, the Blue Abishai cast Chromatic Orb to no effect. Gruffudd cast Dispel Magic, eliminating the Silence. Azarr Kul responded by blasting the shaft area with a Flame Strike, which consumed the goat. Using his Wand of Binding, Camwise cast Hold Person on Franchesca, but she resisted.
Unable to penetrate Azarr Kul’s anti-life shell, Balthasar picked up his orb and slashed Franchesca critically with Rufus three times. Fleeing in fear of Dameron, Luchia and the Green Abishai flew into an alcove. The Black Abishai bit into the Deva. Rezyrius shot his bow toward Azarr Kul. Franchesca tried to lasso Balthasar. Dameron blasted Franchesca with a Lightning Bolt. The Red Abishai tried to charm Glazhael, but she resisted and, still confused, attempted to bite Sausages. Swinging a mighty hammer, the Deva crushed the Black Abishai’s skull and smashed the White Abishai. Despite Camwise’s attempt to counter it, Azarr Kul cast Air Walk. The White Abishai clawed and bit into the Deva. The Blue Abishai blasted Dameron, Balthasar, and the Deva with Chain Lightning, destroying the Deva in an explosion that transported the Daring Friends to the surface of Aurelios in Celestus.
The blinding light of St. Aster informed them that Takhisis was not welcome in Advaen and must be stopped. It warned them that the Dark Lady may come to them in their minds if she gets through the portal. When they were transported back to the Inner Sanctum of Takhisis, they all felt rejuvenated.
Pointing to the ceiling, Azarr Kul growled, “You think that your deity is the only one present! She comes, the Dark Lady!”
“This is no place for her!” Dameron demanded. “St. Aster’s light will not permit it!”
Gruffudd cast Dispel Magic on Azarr Kul, tearing away his Antilife Shell, Air Walk, and other magical effects. Using his Wand of Magic Missiles, Camwise destroyed the White Aishai. Despite Camwise’s attempt to counter it, Azarr Kul recast Antilife Shell.
After smashing Azarr Kul with his Orb of Chaotic Assault, Balthasar jumped onto the balcony and slashed into the Red Abishai three times, rattling it. Azarr Kul hit Gruffudd with a Sacred Flame. Rezyrius shot Franchesca with an arrow. Franchesca hit Dameron and Camiwse with poison arrows. Dameron hit the Blue Abishai and Fanchesca with a Flame Strike. Taking a critical slash from Balthasar, the Red Abishai flew toward Azars Kul and Incited Fanatism in Luchia and the Green Abishai. No longer confused, Glazhael caught Azarr Kull and the Blue and Red Abishai with her Cold Breath and engaged Franchesca. Azarr Kul tried to cast Unholy Star, but Camwise Counterspelled, so he retaliated by hitting the wizard with a Lightning Bolt. Sausages shook off the confusion. Flying off, the Blue Abishai cast Cone of Cold on Balthasar, Camwise, Rezyrius, Glazhael, and Franchesca. Gruffudd cast Heat Metal on Azarr Kul, who retaliated with a Chromatic Orb. Camwise cast Dimensional Anchor on the portal.
Coming down from the balcony and drawing his bow, Balthasar hit the red Abishai with three arrows and jumped back up to the balcony. Azarr Kul hit Grufudd with a Sacred Flame. Incited, the Green Abishai flew into the chamber and cast Dominate Person on Rezyrius who resisted. Rezyrius hit Franchesca with two arrows. Franchesca lassoed Glazhael, entangling her wings and sending her crashing to the ground. Luchia hit Dameron with a poisoned arrow. Hopped onto the platform, Dameron Channeled his Divinity, “Leave this place! St. Aster’s light will not be denied!” turning the Blue Abishai. Then he summoned his Spiritual Hammer, smashing the Red Abishai, who flew Dameron and bit into him. Azarr Kul tried to cast Hold Person but Camwise Counterspelled, so he cast Chromatic Orb on Gruffudd instead. No longer confused, Sausages removed his hat—and his head with it—releasing an unearthly terrifying scream, but Azarr Kul and Luchia resisted. Fleeing in fear of Dameron, the Blue Abishai flew into an alcove. Gruffudd shot a Fire Bolt and Azarr Kul, who used Shield to defend himself but burned from Heat Metal. Azarr Kul blasted Camwise, Gruffudd, and Glazhael with a Shadow Fireball, while Rezyrius and Sausages evaded it. Camwise cast Mirror Image on himself.
After rushing over to Camwise and stuffing a Healing root down his throat, Balthasar put the Red Abishai down with three arrows. Fearing Damron once more, Green Abishai fled to an alcove. Rezyrius shot Franchesca down with an arrow, freeing Glazhael from her lasso. Luchia fled from Dameron, who smashed Azarr Kul with his Spiritual Hammer and bloodied him with a Guiding Bolt. Azarr Kul responded by casting Arc Lightning on Camwise, Sausages, and Glazhael. Glazhael blasted Azarr Kul with Cold Breath, who cast Firestorm despite Camwise’s attempt to Counterspell, consuming Sausages. Dameron reacted by casting Force of Will. Gruffudd cast Heal on himself and seared Azarr Kul with Heat Metal. Azarr Kul blasted the Blue Abishai with a Shadow Fireball, breaking its fear. Camwise cast Dispel Magic on Azarr Kul, removing the Antilife Shell and Heat Metal.
Dropping his bow and drawing Rufus, Balthasar engaged Azarr Kul, slashing into him three times, and used his Expert Sidestep to avoid the hobgoblin’s retaliation. Flanking with Balthasar, Rezyrius stabbed Azarr Kul. With a critical Storm Kick, Dameron shouted, “St. Aster will not be denied!” and crushed Azarr Kul’s chest! The ceiling began to rumble. Glazhael drank a Potion of Greater Healing from Balthasar and flew into the shaft. The Blue Abishai tried to cast Magic Missile but was Counterspelled by Camwise, so it cast Chromatic Orb on the Green Abishai, breaking its fear. Gruffudd climbed down the shaft onto Glazhael and cast Heal on her. Camwise blinded the Blue Abishai with an Acid Arrow.
Climbing onto the balcony, Balthasar used Grasp of the Storm on the Blue Abishai down and slashed into it twice. No longer in fear, the Green Abishai moved to Luchia. Dameron blasted the Blue Abishai with a Guiding Bolt. With Gruffudd on her back, Glazhael flew up to the alcove where Luchia was hiding. Banging rang down from above, straining Camwise’s Dimensional Anchor. Still blinded and burning from the acid, the Blue Abishai was struck by Balthasar as it flew to Camwise. Gruffudd used his Storm Kick scroll to teleport next to the Blue Abishai. Camwise drank a Potion of Greater Healing and climbed out of the shaft.
Dashing to the shaft, Balthasar slashed into the Blue Abishai three times, stunning it. The Green Abishai clawed Luchia—breaking her fear—and cast Confusion, rattling Camwise, Balthasar, and Gruffudd. Rezyrius hit the Green Abishai with two arrows. No longer frightened, Luchia lassoed Glazhael, dropping her to the ground, and shot at Camwise with an arrow. Moving closer to the shaft, Dameron cast Heal on himself. Breaking the lasso, Glazhael engaged Luchia in the air. Camwise’s Dimensional Anchor cracked! Gruffudd shoved the stunned Blue Abishai down the shaft. Before anything could come through the portal, Camwise recast Dimensional Anchor.
Drawing his bow, Balthasar shot Luchia with three arrows. The Green Abishai engaged Camwise. Flanking it, Rezyrius slashed the Green Abishai twice. Luchia shot arrows at Camwise, whose Mirror Image mostly protected him. Dameron pulverized the Green Abishai with his Spiritual Hammer and a Crushing Haymaker. Glazhael clawed and bit into Luchia. The Blue Abishai rose and started flying up the shaft, blasting Camwise with a Lightning Bolt. Gruffudd shot a Fire Bolt down the shaft. Moving away from the shaft, Camwise cast Mirror Image on himself.
Balthasar was stunned after being Hasted. Rezyrius shot Luchia with an arrow. Luchia shot arrows at Camwise, whose Mirror Image mostly protected him. Dameron blasted Luchia with a Guiding Bolt. Glazhael bit Luchia’s head off and flew to the shaft. Rocks began to fall from cracks in the ceiling under the interdimensional stain. The Blue Abishai cast Ice Storm up the shaft, blasting Gruffudd, Glazhael, Camwise, Dameron, Balthasar, and Rezyrius. Gruffudd cast Insect Plague in the shaft. Camwise killed the Blue Ashibai with an Acid Arrow.
The chamber fell silent as the ceiling cracked further under the interdimensional strain, but Camwise maintained his Dimensional Anchor. Dameron recast Bless on Camwise and himself. After a couple of minutes, the chamber fell silent.
Suddenly, Jaervellios appeared on the platform surrounded by fluttering spirits, and silhouetted by the ephemeral image of the Ghostlord! Jaervellios’ strained face made it apparent that he was not in control. The Ghostlord raised his arms, controlling Jaervellios like a marionette. Jaervellios screamed as all the souls gathered by the now-closed portal were sucked into his mouth.
Gruffudd pleaded with his pained friend to resist, “Jaervellios, you are not the Ghostlord’s tool. You have fought with us side-by-side against the Red Hand and saved us many times. You hate your father. Do not become a weapon of the Ghostlord!”
Strained by the rush of souls flowing into his mouth, Jaervellios grunted, “Gruffudd, kill me. I do not wish to be my father’s pawn.”
“You have been amongst the dearest friends to me,” Gruffudd replied as he stepped onto the platform and approached Jaervellios. “I will take care of your tree and your home.”
The Ghostlord’s ephemeral eyes went wide as Gruffudd felt repelled by the lich.
Gruffudd overcame the Ghostlord and plunged his fist into Jaervellios’ chest as Rezyrius stabbed the elf in the back. For a moment, Jaervellios’ eyes cleared and he silently mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
As the Ghostlord’s seething visage evaporated, it looked down on Gruffudd and uttered, “You have denied me. You may not pay, but your progeny will.”
Camwise cast True Seeing on Dameron so he could interact with the souls as he began the Ceremony ritual. Dameron called upon them to go to their final resting place and be at peace in the light, and the remaining spirits gradually dispersed.
The Daring Friends and their companions gathered the valuables they had found and left the Fane, where they found Nozralyth Argenstrong waiting. The silver dragon offered them a ride.
At Gruffudd’s request, they flew to Jaervellios’ home. Once there, Gruffudd announced to his friends, “My task is complete. This is my calling. I did not seek glory or any of that. I cannot even claim I did this for Brindol. It was for my own goals. But you have become my friends and I thank you for all your help.”
Balthasar said a few words for Jarvellios, “He chose to stand with us against the darkness of the Red Hand and a choice that he could have chosen not to answer. His sacrifice ensured a future for this realm—a future we are duty-bound to protect.
“This grove, his home and sanctuary, shall forever be his resting place, as it was his heart and soul. May his spirit find peace in the eternal cycle of nature and may we, who stand here today, carry forward his legacy—not in words, but in actions that honor his memory."
In a dramatic flash, Aaqastal the Unnumbered appeared, “I am surprised. I did not think that you would survive, but I saw all. It took me a moment to find you again. Come, I would have you join me back in Brindol, as would the council.”
Balthasar turned to Rezyrius, "Rez, you have my gratitude, I know the path you must walk for your clan, I too must return to the Mountains and rebuild the order and Fane, but I have an ask of you."
Rezyrius stared quizzically at Balthasar, "My time is best served with the Shadow scales, my hope is I can steer them away from blind ambition and destruction and bring them together for something more noble in purpose, but what would you ask of me?"
Balthasar paused, looked back to Jarvellios’ freshly dug grave and Gruffudd, and turned back to Rezyrius, "You will of that, I have no doubt." Balthasar took a step closer and leaned towards Rezyrius, "Five years from today, I need you to return here—to this grove."
Rezyrius, unsure what he wais referring to, "Balthasar you aren't one for something cryptic, what is it?"
"There is an evil stirring,” Balthasar replied. “One that will come for us all, not just us but those that carry our blood. I fear it will test us in ways we cannot yet imagine. I will need allies—trusted allies—when the time comes. We will need to venture to places not of Advaen, dark places and whom better that knows the shadows but you."
"Five years,” Rezyrius promised, “I'll be here. Hopefully, by then you'll have a plan. Till then, keep your head out of the clouds Balthasar."
With that, Nozralyth flew off toward the mountains. Rezyrius soon bid farewell and departed as well.
After all the touching words, hugs, and invitations to visit, the Daring Friends departed, leaving Gruffudd to bury and honor Jaervellios.
Aaqastal teleported them to Brindol, and they were soon brought to the Morninglory Temple where there was much rejoicing and recognition of those who fell and how many survived who might have died had it not been for their heroic deeds. Lord Jarmaath summoned them to Brindol Keep, where the Daring Friends were once again recognized as heroes, presenting each of them with a keepsake; an item of significant magical power. He appointed Dameron Baron over the lands surrounding Drellin’s Ferry and Vraath Keep.
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