Session+93

**10-1-2016**  **Session 93** **The Release of Echo in Myth Taryn on the Isle of Lantan**

The group of companions traveled for a day or two through Lantan up to the mountain range. Kattri pulled out a map, studying it, "Myth Taryn should be right somewhere right in that valley according to my calculations." He slipped on a pair of spectacles and rotated the map around, smiling a little sheepishly. He began weaving powerful divination magic, and little floating eyeballs went flying off in several directions to help him search. Posy raised an eyebrow at her uncle's strange spectacles, "Did you make those?" "Yes!" he nodded proudly, "They're great! They let me use certain divination spells and things!" Thorn looked over at Posy, "How come you can't make cool stuff like that?" "I was never taught that," the little barbarian gnome shrugged. "Oh," Thorn nodded, "I guess that makes sense." "I can even set them to look through solid objects," Kattri nodded as he concentrated his sight through the spectacles and one of the eyes paused for a moment alongside Wren. A smirk played on the witch's lips, and she turned to wink at the eye before it quickly sailed away to continue searching.

"Aha! Over here," Kattri called as he led them down some rocks into the valley, "This is quite interesting... there appears to be some kind of tear here." "In the map?" Erevin asked as the group followed the inventive gnome down. "No, no... in the fabric of reality," Kattri answered. "What?!" Thorn blinked at him. "That sounds all sorts of fun," Wren nodded as she moved in behind Kattri, to take a better look. "See!" the little gnome pointed in the air and stuck his hand through nothing to watch it disappear. "Hmm maybe I should have sent one of you in first," Kattri mumbled to himself before pulling back to see his hand still intact, "Oh, nope... we're okay." Thorn looked over the gnome's hand and arm with suspicion, but all seemed normal.

The bauble in Thorn's pouch glowed, and the young halfling took it out to show everyone. "We've been up here plenty of times before, and I've never seen anything like this..." Kattri glanced at the dimensional tear and back to the gem in Thorn's possession, "That gem seems to be reacting in some way." "So you're telling me that the gem is tearing up Lantan?" Thorn raised a worried eyebrow at the inventive older gnome. "Oh I don't know about that," Kattri shook his head, trying to reassure the halfling. "Let's hope not," Erevin nodded. "But it does seem to be reacting to that rift," Kattri nodded.

"So is this what we're looking for?" Thorn inquired further. "I'm hoping that's a rift into Myth Taryn," Wren nodded, "Let's hope it's not a portal to somewhere else..." "You're looking for the elven city," Kattri nodded to Thorn. "Well is it in there?" Thorn asked, pointing at the tear, "Stick your head in." Kattri immediately poked his head in to take a look around. Thorn's mouth dropped open in shock, "He actually did it!" Kattri pulled his head back out, "It looks like some kind of wild hedge mage... covered in spider webs." "Well that sounds delightful... just like home," Wren winked. Thorn raised an eyebrow at her, "So... I guess we go in?" "Huh..." Kattri pretended that his face was being eaten away as he screamed in feigned horror... only to suddenly stop and wink at Thorn, "Got ya!" The roguish halfling glowered, turning to Posy with a grumble, "I hate your uncle." Wren laughed, "You know... there //are// spiders that could do that... you should be careful. Have you ever heard the story of the gnome who cried dragon?" Kattri shrugged at her, "Aw c'mon! It was funny! Did you see the look on his face?! Besides... He's the big heroic adventurer asking //me// to stick //my// head in!" "You could have just sent your little eyeballs in there," Thorn grumbled at him. "I tried... but they don't seem to work past the dimensional threshold," Kattri shrugged.

"I hope //our// magic works in there," Wren frowned worriedly. "Eh, we've been in plenty of magical thresholds," Thorn reassured her with a shrug, "Back when we had a ship." "Old hat," Erevin agreed. She laughed and nodded. "I am familiar with the hedge mage," Kattri interrupted them. "You are?" Thorn asked in surprise. Kattri nodded, "Well at least with the legends of Myth Taryn... There are stories passed down from our ancestors about the maze the elves built that was full of illusions to... you know, to keep people out... they would make people wander the hedge maze that would eventually exit them out someplace else... or if they were particularly dangerous... exit them into a death trap." "o...kay," Thorn nodded, glancing back at the others. "At least that sounds like a clue that this //is// Myth Taryn," Wren nodded. "Yes... though it's never been here before... so it seems that something has moved it to make it appear in this pocket dimension," Kattri smiled proudly. "Nothing like an entire city that's much like Azarius's mansion," Wren nodded studying the tear.

Kattri took out long metal rods and began pounding them into the ground next to the gate. Wren raised an eyebrow, watching him, "Making an anchor for our way out?" Thorn looked him over curiously, "Yeah... What //are// you doing? Don't we just walk through?" "Oh I'm just marking it, so you can see it more easily... and perhaps stabilizing it so it doesn't close behind you," Kattri answered as he continued pounding in another rod. "Oh, yes!" Thorn nodded, "Keep working, please." "Dimensional anchors," Erevin nodded. "Yes," Kattri nodded to him, "You're a very learned elf." "I've been paying attention," Erevin replied. Thorn shrugged at Kattri, "He's just a simple woodsman." "I agree," Shri smiled. The elven prince grinned appreciatively at the young halfling.

"Well then, we'll leave you to your work," Thorn nodded to Kattri. "Are you sure you'll be alright out here alone?" Wren looked him over with concern, "We could leave Azarius here to guard you... and he knows a great deal about dimensions." Kattri glanced at Azarius, and nodded up to Wren, "I could probably use the help of a high level sorcerer." Azarius agreed to remain out with the gnome and lend his aid. A frame started to take shape with the rods and the group could see the terrain beyond through the mist.

Everyone stepped through the portal to see they were still on the hills where they came from... though the terrain of the hedge maze was now added in. A shimmering mist marked the doorway they came through. As the companions walked along the maze, Thorn watched in surprise as the mythal gem burst out with light and several ethereal figures soared across the sky in multiple directions as they left the bauble behind. Echo stood before him, nodding, "I can lead you through the maze." "Great," he nodded at Echo, "But... didn't we just accomplish what we came here to do? I mean... not to offend you... but aren't the souls free of the gem now? Do we need to go through the maze?" "I assume that you wish to save the souls of Myth Taryn?" she tilted her head expectantly, "There are still some bodies here, preserved as the protectors of the city that were a part of this gem." "Such as yourself?" Wren asked. Echo nodded, "I was the daughter of the high mage of the city who had created the mythal with the help of the gnomes... When the city was attacked, my father was killed... only one of his blood could fully activate the mythal, so I did my duty... though I didn't really know what I was doing... Now that I have returned to this place, it will start again. Hopefully you can save my friends." "What will start again?" Wren asked. Echo faded away, leaving behind a shimmering path that would lead them through the path. Wren blinked, "Is she trying to tell us that we're at the start of the war on Myth Taryn where the city fell?" "Yes... I believe so," Erevin nodded, staring at the shimmering path before them. "Great!" Thorn feigned enthusiasm, glancing back at the doorway behind them...

The hedge maze was covered in thick spiderwebbing as they walked path with caution. Thorn's interest was peaked when he noticed something shiny in the bushes... but it was so dangerously far inside... and there were all those spiderwebs... he paused and looked closer, seizing a more clear way to quickly dart his hand in to grab the shiny and pull back! He almost fell backward as ancient elvish armor came with him covering a skeleton... the armor was runed with symbols of Llolth... likely a drow. Erevin looked over the armor. It seemed to be from a strange time period still after the drow had been exiled. There were several more bodies... some elven... some drow... and as they proceeded on, the bodies as well as the spiderwebs became less and less. The shimmering path continued to lead them... and it was a good thing it was there... so many passages to choose from, some of them disappearing as they passed them... until eventually they came to a city.

It was a grand elven city built on the rolling grasslands. The architecture of the buildings were ancient elven, and there was a tall white tower with an eldritch fire that was clear even in the sunlight.

An elven woman, camouflaged with tattoos, faded into view as she stepped out of the bushes. "Who art thou?" she spoke in elven with ancient wording as she looked over the group curiously, "Elves, a gnome, humans, and... what be ye?" She studied Thorn and Mali... "Strange gnomes of furry feet." "I'm a halfling," Thorn piped up. "Erevindal Lionspaw," Erevin bowed in a formal greeting, "Of Myth Coramanth." "Myth Coramanth?" the elven woman turned her attention to the woodsman, "What is that?" "It is an elven city far far to the east in the Rawlinswood," Erevin gestured toward the east. The woodland elven woman looked him over warily, holding her bow a little taut, "Doth thee mean Cormanthor?" "No," Erevin shook his head, "The great elven city Myth Drannor from the forest of Cormanthor was attacked... and the mythal, in an effort to protect the city, moved the entire city... We rediscovered it in Rawlinswood, and renamed it Myth Coramanth in honor of where it came from." The woman stared at him in full disbelief, "I know not of what trickery thou art speaketh... Myth Drannor hath not yet been completed."

Wren blinked for a moment at her companions... Just how far back in time were they?! She smiled pleasantly at the young elven woman, "My name is Wren Dreamspinner. My companions and I were sent here by Echo and her friends, Calla Arcslayer, Thera Stoneshield, Borrah Silkenmoon, Mina Brightsun, and Shora Gutripper." "I doth not knoweth thee," the elven woman shook her head at Wren, "I am Shora Gutripper." "Really?" Wren blinked, looking her over curiously to see that the woman's armor and bow looked like Shora's... though her physical appearance was no longer the mimicking model of Echo, "Fascinating..." "Hmm," Erevin frowned, "You're about to be attacked then... We believe by a group of drow." Shora frowned at him and looked back at Wren and their companions, "And you know Borrah Silkenmoon and Calla Arcslayer?" Erevin nodded, "Yes." "Well this all seemeth above mine pedigree," she shook her head and gestured them closer, "Followeth me."

"We has't hadst some skirmishes with the drow ere, but they has't been unable to wend past our mythal," Shora explained as she led them into the city. "Excellent, " Erevin nodded to her as they walked, keeping Shri at his side as his moonblade. There seemed about 300 elves within the city, dressed in ancient elven armor and clothing... There were no other races of any type, and they seemed clearly on edge. Shora introduced the group to some guards who sent for Calla Arcslayer immediately.

A beautiful elven woman in mage robes came down the stairs accompanied by a few giggling elven woman, "Shora, thou has't hath brought me guests?" "Aye. I hope tis no trouble to giveth these people lodging to stayeth for the night?" Shora asked her. "T'will beest no hindrance. We doth not receiveth many travelers hither. Especially now, " the elegant elven woman greeted her companion with a hug and curtseyed to the group in greeting. "Why is that?" Erevin raised an eyebrow. "Thither has't been some altercations with the drow, and the gnomes on the island has't been giving this area a wide berth," the young woman explained. "That makes sense," Erevin nodded to her. "Well met, thou mayest refer to me as Aeowyn. Thy attire is strange," the robed woman looked the companions over curiously. "So is yours," Posy nodded to her, looking at the extra puffy shoulders of the woman's gown.

"Perhaps some fashion trends haven't made it this far yet," Erevin suavely suggested. "Ahh," Aeowyn nodded, "We art quite far south of Evermeet, and this little community of ours is a lodging some of the elves who is't didn't wanteth to wend to the mainland wenteth to... so we're not really the most adventurous of the elves. We liketh things peace and quiet h're." "There is nothing wrong with a simple life," Erevin agreed. "So i knoweth not wherefore the drow and spid'r people has't did attack us. We art nay threat to those folk," she shook her head confused. Platters of simple food and wine was brought, and everyone ate as they continued to chat.

A woman with dark bluish hair, dressed in blue robes, came down the staircase wearing a long mithril sleeved glove on one hand. At her side was clearly a female paladin of Correllion with golden skin and long blonde hair. "I am Minaste Brightsun, and this is Calla Arcslayer. You say you know us, strangers?" the sun elf paladin looked over the group of companions. Their clothing was exactly what they wore before, but again... their physical features were no longer the mimic of Echo. "We are friends of yours from a different life," Erevin started out hesitantly, "I know this is hard to believe." Minaste's eyes glowed slightly as she looked him over warily. "I would not lie to you, my lady," Erevin nodded to her. The paladin woman shook her head at the mage who then spoke questioningly as she looked over the group, "Well... thou art not... evil." "Of course not, my lady," Erevin shook his head, "Or surely the mythal would not have allowed us in." "Aye," Calla nodded, "and that speaks of thy character more than aught else. . . though the mythal hast been acting strange of late."

"When the drow have attacked... have they revealed their goal? What is it they are after?" Erevin asked. "I believeth they art after the heart of the mythal... the soulstone. It is a powerful magical gemstone given to us by the queen of Evermeet to help power the mythal," the young elven mage spoke thoughtfully. Thorn looked awkward for a moment as he clutched the pouch that held the bauble... hoping it wasn't his that they needed. "Well they must not be allowed to get it," Erevin shook his head. "Certainly not," Calla agreed, "The high mage hast taken extraordinary steps. He hast locked himself in the tower! None has't been able to gain entrance." "And the stone is in the tower as well?" Erevin asked. "Of course," she nodded. "Will you join us?" Erevin gestured to the seats surrounding them. "Certainly," Calla nodded, "We art unfamiliar with thy attire... and I'm not entirely sure that thou art not falsing to me... but I shall heareth more of this."

Minaste pulled a chair out for Calla who sat down first. The young mage smiled and touched the paladin's hand with affection as she sat next to her. Most of the group noticed the obvious relationship between the two. "You said your name was Lionspaw?" Calla turned back to Erevin. "Indeed," the elven prince nodded. "Art thee Zaltarish's brother then? I didst not knoweth that gent hadst a brother," the young mage looked him over, noticing some family resemblance, "But we doth not heareth news here often... so thou art from Evermeet then? Shora hath said thee were from Cormanthor." Erevin sighed, "We'll go with that for now... It's complicated." "Wherefore hast thee traveled all this way then?" Calla tilted her head. "//That// is the question," Erevin nodded, calling for one of the servants, "Barkeep... The //**best**// you have, please."

One of the servants went to the back to retrieve a couple of bottles, brushing off the thick dust, and returned with a tray of glasses. "And you?" Calla turned to Wren, "What is your family name?" Wren smiled sweetly, "Dreamspinner." "Oh... I have not heard of that name," the moon elf mage shook her head. "That's not shocking," Wren shook her head, "Most of my family tends to stay away from shiny public affairs." "Oh, well you are quite lovely though," Calla smiled at the witch, setting her hand affectionately over hers. Wren smiled, leaning closer, "Why thank you. So are you, darling." Thorn who had been quietly guarding his version of the soulstone suddenly perked up, intrigued by the flirtation between the women. He subtly refilled both of their glasses of wine. "Are you from Evermeet or Cormanthor as well?" Calla rested her chin on her fingers as she gazed into Wren's golden eyes. "Oh I'm from..." Wren paused, looking for a truth that her lips would allow. "Well I believe we were going with Cormanthor to lessen the confusion." She smiled. "So the mythal is coming along well then?" Calla inquired further. "Oh yes, yes," Wren nodded, mumbling quietly under her breath, "It's saved the city a few times..." "We too have drow trouble," Erevin nodded. "Oh, well I hear the mage who is working on their mythal is quite talented," Calla nodded, "I'm sure it will defend your city as well as ours." Erevin smiled, "You know... I think that it will." Wren nodded her agreement, "We have a lot of faith and trust there." Thorn nodded too, "I'd say it's a pretty good bet."

The companions continued to drink and chat. Thorn glanced at one of the bottles, nudging his companions, "We should totally take a couple of bottles of this stuff with us... when we get back it will be hundreds of years old. Do you know what we could sell that for?" Erevin grinned at him, "That's not a horrible idea..." Wren laughed and nodded, "I could afford a belt of stoneskin!"

Minaste looked questioningly at Erevin, "So is yond where I hath met thee? I doth apologizeth that I remember not... Were thee a knave on Evermeet and that is where I hath met thee?" Wren shook her head, "I'm afraid it's much more complicated than that." Erevin nodded to her, "As I said... we are friends from a different life... I suspect that Myth Taryn is going to suffer a great invasion... and many, many, many are going to die. You and some of the other defenders of the city... In an effort to defend your way of life here are going to sacrifice yourself to the soulstone... so that you may live forever to defend your city... Where I'm from... we discovered that the stone had been stolen many years from today. We recovered the stone that was misused... and several of your spirits were still in the stone to assist us. We have returned to Myth Taryn to see your spirits restored... Where I'm from, Myth Taryn is legend." Calla and Minaste both sat stunned, the young mage motioning for another bottle of wine. "Keep drinking. It gets better," Erevin nodded to her, "I understand how crazy this must sound to you." "It certainly doest soundeth crazy... but... nay other than the six of us guardians... Shora, Borrah, Thera, Calla, and myself," Minaste gestured to herself, "Knoweth of the oath we swore to guardeth the city with our bodies and souls... so I am forced to believeth thy cunning words... unless thou art some sort of spies. Doth thee hast any other proof of what thee sayeth?"

"Show them," Erevin nodded to Thorn. The young halfling retrieved the gem from his pouch and held it up to sparkle in the sunlight. Calla gasped, "But that's impossible! The soulstone is in the tower." "I'm sure if you were to check, it would still be in the tower," Thorn nodded. "We can not get in the tower," Calla shook her head, "The high mage hast locked himself in the tower." "We may have to get in," Posy shrugged, glancing off to the tall white tower. Erevin nodded his agreement, "It's possible we need to put this soulstone in the mythal..." "I need this," Thorn shook his head, mumbling, "I need to give this to a god." Erevin frowned, "We are uncertain as to what to do at this point... We arrived and the spirits left the stone. I think we need to stay and help defend the city from this coming attack."

"Well we should go to the tower then," Mina nodded, "Perhaps we can find out more." Calla stood up a little wobbly, and Minaste moved closer to offer a shoulder, "Now, now, Calla... thee never couldst holdeth thy wine." Erevin picked up the open bottle of wine, taking it with him as the group stood up. Wren's cheeks were pink, but she was stable. There were no streets in the city, but they traveled over grass to run into a young elven woman dressed in blues and gold who was hurrying to meet them, "Mine own appologies, Minaste, I hadst to finish some things up in the temple. Art these the strangers yond Shora wast talking about?" "Yes, yes," Minaste nodded, introducing them. "I am Borrah Silkenmoon," the priestess bowed to each of them, pausing to bow deeply before Erevin. "Lady Silkenmoon, that is unnecessary," Erevin shook his head, and took her hand to pull her up. "Thou art favored of Correllion. His marketh is on thee," she explained. "He is just a simple woodsman," Mali piped up, walking beside them. Erevin winked back at the red-haired halfling. "i doth not knoweth of thee, but i can seeth this. Thee has't a most wondrous destiny before thee among our Lord," Borrah nodded to him. "Thank you," Erevin bowed before her, "There can be no greater honor. Hopefully I will be brave enough to see it through."

The group of companions arrived at the tall white tower. Runes framed an archway of a closed portal that looked like a stone wall. The soulstone in Thorn's hands glowed slightly, dimly lighting the runes. He tried touching the stone to the archway, but nothing seemed to happen, and there was no lock for him to try to pick. "High Mage Tiberian Silverstar locked himself inside," Borrah nodded. Mali pulled her insistent doorknocker from her pack, adhering it to the stone wall of the tower. The Myth Taryn elves looked on curiously. Mali opened the door, peeking through... but it only led to the other side of the tower. Wren studied the archway that seemed to be linked to the actual high magic of the mythal... far higher than any magic any of them could muster.

Elves passed by them, watching with curiosity on occasion as the group attempted to get into the tower. A wood elf druid with hair the color of autumn leaves eventually joined them, introducing herself as Thera Stoneshield. She looked Mali over with great curiosity, "Oh, sister, thou art not a gnome... yet thou art a baubling liketh one... what art thou?" The red-haired druidess nodded to her in greeting, "I'm a halfling." "Half of what?" Thera tilted her head, even more curious. "Clearly you're confused," Mali shook her head. "I has't hath heard there art many strange peoples on the mainland. . . thee wilt beest one of those," Thera nodded, "Thee weareth a symbol of thy god, but I doth not recognizeth it... Yet I can tell thee art a warden of the forest... And thy kitty is so cute!" "He bites," Mali shrugged. "But he is so tiny... liketh thou," Thera looked at the miniature lion with disbelief. "He doesn't stay tiny," Mali explained, "Watch this!" She removed Melleron's collar, and he grew into his normal size of a horse. "By Rillifane! Yond is a big kitty!" Thera gasped in surprise. "He's a good boy," Mali nodded. "Indeed," Erevin nodded.

Fascinated by the incredibly large lion, she petted him warmly... and spent quite a bit of time talking to the druidess about halflings and such. Borrah spent time talking to Erevin about Correllion and the different practices of worship... most was the same, but some things had changed and become more relaxed.

Calla, with her cheeks still bright pink from the wine, stayed near to Wren... very curious about her family name and daring fashion, "I see you have talent in the arcane and your familiar is quite cute!" "Thank you! This is Inali," Wren stroked the petite black fox at her side. "I dost not recognizeth the school of magic that thy wield," Calla looked her over with intrigue, "What school dost thou practice?" "I practice multiple schools of magic," Wren smiled, taking her arm, "Evocation... Divination... the smallest dabble in necromancy..." "Oh, didst thou train with the Masters on Evermeet?" the young moon elf inquired further. "No, no. I learned from my mother," the elven witch explained. "Oh! Well it is good to pass secrets from generation to generation," Calla nodded her approval. Wren smiled, "Oh the secrets my family passes..." "I can only imagine," Calla nodded, tracing her fingers along Wren's arm. The young witch grinned, drawn by the intrigue of another culture of pleasure. She leaned closer to whisper, "We have such an interest in intimate education."

Having given up on getting into the tower, Erevin glanced up at it, "Is he even in there?" "Can we send him a message?" Thorn asked. "Oh, I don't know," Minaste shook her head, "It's been like this for at least a week." "You're all welcome to stay in the inn this evening," Borrah nodded to the group. Calla looked at Wren, "I wouldn't mind continuing our conversation about the arcane... Would you like to come with me to my house?" "I would indeed," Wren nodded, looping her arm into Calla's. She winked over at Kale, "Do you mind? ...or would you like to join us?" Kale nodded, "Certainly." He stepped beside her to walk with the two. "Ooo Ooo! I know about the arcane!" Thorn raised his hand. Wren laughed herself silly. As the three walked away, Kale put his arm around Wren and she asked Calla cheerfully, "Tell me... Have you heard of witchcraft?"

Screams could suddenly be heard on the other side of the town, and flames could be seen with plumes of smoke from fireballs flying through the sky! Erevin could see a handmaiden of Lloth as he pulled his bow and moved toward the commotion. He launched an arrow into one of the drow in the distance, piercing straight through it's neck and dropping it to the ground! A great blue dragon was landing in one of the streets... it's features still showing that of the bone dragon that had attacked in Lantan among the ghostly drow... this was the same army, only this time they had flesh and blood. Thorn advanced through the street, cautiously approaching the dragon's area. Posy sent out a ring of her ghostly blades of barbarians into the crowd of drow across the city, slaughtering several who tried to move through! Uther moved to protect the elven citizens, ushering them to safe places as they ran screaming.

The great dryder vastly leapt across multiple streets to land on a large central building! The blue dragon tore through the earth as it landed, tearing up elves and dropping their bodies as it moved! A pair of ice devils appeared next to Calla, stabbing her with their icy spears as she screamed out in pain! A group of drow, holding eldritch daggers surrounded Minaste and attacked her! Spiders crawled down their arms and they looked with surprise at their kin pinned to the wall dead from Erevin's arrow.

"Calla! Stay behind me!" Wren stepped in between the mage and ice devils, "Our arcane conversation is about to become pretty visual." She unleashed powerful magic to nearly shatter one of the devils that spurted out frozen ichor! It choked and wobbled, barely able to suck in air. Kale moved up burying his blade into one of the devils and pushing it back from the girls. Mali sent Melleron up to defend Erevin. Guards moved up to engage the dragon, holding it back from bulldozing through the city. Civilians were running and screaming everywhere!

Shora shot a couple of arrows, taking down another drow. Calla stayed behind Wren, holding her bloody wounds, and sent a short barrage of magic missiles to finish off the devil Wren had nearly destroyed. Erevin sent a pair of arrows into one of the drow surrounding Minaste, taking it down. The paladin flashed him a smile of thanks.

Thorn heroically charged the dragon, both daggers in his hands! The scales were thick and tough, but being so small, he managed to shove one of them between the scales... still the dragon barely noticed. Posy followed him in with her great hearth hammer! She slammed into him, pounding her hammer against it's ankle! Fully grabbing it's attention, the enormous blue dragon ripped it's claws into her and bit her! The massive dryder leapt again, moving over another another two streets to land on the building above the companions! It spit out webbing over Mali, Melleron, the barbarians, and some of the townsfolk!

The handmaiden hissed at Erevin, "Correllion filth!" She called down unholyfire, Erevin managed to fully evade her spell only for the arcane casters beside her sent several magic missiles into the woodsman! Shora sent several piercing arrows to drop a couple of drow! The ice devil stabbed into Kale, but the skilled warrior blocked it's second attack with his shield! As her strong warrior held the devil back, Wren sent a powerful lightning bolt into it searing it with electrical damage. Calla followed with another lightning bolt of her own, and a guard made his way in to help Kale. Mali created a lightning storm, calling down a bolt on the dryder, but it was fast and evaded the full blow. Melleron cut his way through the webbing with his claws, advancing in front of Erevin with several strands of sticky webbing still clinging to his face and matted in his mane. Ursus shapeshifted into a large fire elemental, burning away the webbing from himself and his halfling counterpart.

Minaste took down another drow, leaving only one left around her. Townsfolk continued to scream and run to safety. Uther continued trying to help as many as he could. Borrah came out of the temple, joining the paladin. Erevin called the handmaiden's name as he drew holy arrows, piercing into the dryder with a hiss! Thorn moved around the dragon to flank from behind, piercing his daggers multiple times deep into the fleshy bits under it's scales! Posy healed herself, and slammed her hammer into it again!

The blue dragon spun around laid into Thorn with massive clawing, wing beating, tossing him into the air to bite him, and then dropping him on the ground to groan in pain! The ice devil pierced again into Kale, but the elven warrior continued to stand up to it. Wren moved behind the devil, laying her hands on it to implode it with a harm spell! Kale took a step back, wiping frosted goo from his face, and tilted his head at Wren, "You scare me, honey." She laughed, kissing his lips, "You have nothing to fear from me. Are you holding up okay? Or do you need healing?" She looked him over quickly to see that he was still well enough as he nodded, "I'm fine." The moved out toward the others with the guard following them, protecting Calla behind them.

One of the arcane casters killed off several townsfolk. The handmaiden dryder leapt onto the large white tower, and a large spider leapt onto Mali with dripping fangs! It bit into her with it's dripping poison, but the halfling druidess was immune to poison and barely felt the bite. Ursus and Uther double teamed the massive spider, burning it and shredding it with claws! Melleron turned around, clawing and biting into the spider as well! Hearing the commotion with the dragon and Thorn's groans of pain, Mali moved down the street toward him. Erevin pierced the handmaiden's dryder guardians with holy arrows, turning one of them into black ichor!

Thorn quickly moved out, heading down the street back toward the others as Posy engaged her ring of retribution to burn the dragon and turned several drow into ash! One of the drow came around the corner to heal some of the dragon's wounds as another moved in to flank around Posy. Another sent magic missiles into the gnome, tearing into her. Borrah healed Minaste as the paladin finished off the last of the drow around them. Angered by the death of her male guard, the handmaiden leapt off of the tower, "Llolth smite this abomination of Correllion!" She sent a green beam of light into the elven prince, but his fortitude managed to hold up against the vicious strike!

The blue dragon turned toward Posy, bright hot lightning forming it's mouth as it blew it's breath over her! The little gnome rolled out of the way of some of it, but her skin was burnt with electrical damage. Wren sent a cold bolt to kill one of the drow heading for Erevin, rocking the priestess back as well as they came around the corner, and then she released a lightning bolt from Cirdan into the large spider. Calla followed behind her, sending a green beam of light to turn another drow into ash!

Thorn continued to move toward Mali fighting through the pain of his massive wounds. The red-haired druidess laid her hands on him, healing some of them. Melleron and the barbarians finished off the large spider. Erevin whispered off a prayer, "Correllion, my father, give me strength." as he launched a barrage of holy arrows into the named handmaiden, melting her into ash! Shri as the moonblade at his side healed him to full. Thorn pulled the soulstone gem from his pocket, concentrating his thoughts into it, "Tiberian... your city is under attack! Your people are dying and your buildings are burning! Without your help, we will fall and Llolth will succeed! Aid us!" Echo appeared before him, panting, "My father is already dead... killed by drow assassins. Save as many as you can." Thorn sighed heavily and nodded to her.

Posy turned her focus on the drow priestess healing the dragon. With a sickening crunch of bones and flesh, the little gnome smashed her with her hearth hammer in a full rage! The dragon clawed and bit into the little gnome as an elven guard moved around it to help her flank. Elven guards continued to fight back the drow. Borrah sent blue holy fire into another! Wren moved further into the street, sending chain lightning into the three arcane casters in the distance. They seemed to have some magical protection around them, but took some damage. Calla followed behind her, sending out a chain of lightning into the drow around Erevin, destroying several!

Seeing her gnome friend covered in weeping blood and wounds, Mali moved up further, pulsing out a healing spell to heal some of Posy's wounds. Melleron and the barbarians came around the corner, heading for the dragon. Erevin pulled his only dragon-slaying arrow and fired it into the great blue dragon's forehead with a hissing thunk! Thorn ran back in behind the dragon, driving his dagger between it's scales! Posy finished off the great blue dragon, slamming her hearth hammer into it again and again with a final crack of it's skull!

A lightning bolt and unholy fire ripped across from the arcane casters to hit Wren and the elven guard behind her, but fully prepared for the retaliation the young witch managed to avoid some of the damage. Several drow came around the corner near the dragon, one of them sending magic missiles into Thorn. Minaste and Borrah came from around the other corner to take down two of the drow!

Finally with some last few battles, the drow army was finally defeated. The elven guards and civilians cheered! The guardians clasping arms with the companions in appreciation of their aid. "I am proud any day to stand shoulder to shoulder to defend a city of elves," Erevin shook his head, "You need not thank me." "Thank you anyway," Calla hugged onto Wren tightly, pressing her large bosom against her. Wren returned her tight hug warmly, "It was my honor. Your arcane skills are impressive, my sister." Thorn stared at the two of them, nodding his approval.

One by one... the elves began to disappear... until they were left in a quiet and empty city. Echo again came before them, panting, "Thank you. For the first time, you have saved so many of them!" "It wasn't easy... but we had to!" Thorn nodded to her. "The handmaiden of Llolth and Llolth herself used the mythal's power against itself," she explained, "They could not breach the defenses, but if sorely pressed... the mythal was designed to hide this place away in another dimension. She changed that destination from a pocket dimension to her own domain... this place... though protected... is in the Abyss, Llolth's realm... as are you." The companions blinked at her and each other. "So... can we put it back?" Wren asked hesitantly. "Llolth has been trying to breach the defenses of the mythal for hundreds of years," Echo explained further, "Every day this battle happens again... all of the elves are slain. My father was the first to die, and he sealed the tower with his dying breath... and I killed the assassin and activated the soulstone. Every day I keep the souls here and the battle plays out again and again... If I do not, the souls would escape into the Abyss and Llolth would devour them."

"So how do we put this place back?" Erevin asked. "We have to reunite the soulstone in the tower. Thanks to you saving most of the elves, the soulstone doesn't have to use it's power to keep them safe," she nodded, "But you did not save all of them... and I am loathe to leave any of them here. Can you save them all?" "By doing it again?" Erevin asked. Wren stared at her a little blankly, stunned with the thought, but then started looking around and assessing, "Maybe..." "They come exactly from the same place at the same time," Echo explained. Wren and Mali started pointing out areas and discussing spells as Erevin and Thorn were talking about getting the townsfolk out of the way before the battle. Posy was nodding and talking about better placement for her and Uther and surprise attacks. "So... you will do this?" Echo asked hopefully, listening to their discussions. Erevin nodded to her, "Yes."

The companions spent the night in the quiet inn to get some sleep. The spellcasters knew better as to what spells they would need to prepare. Chain lightnings, Summoned earth elementals, etc... The following day, they were greeted by the same elves again and convinced them of what was coming... but this time they were able to get the elves in a common house of safety and set traps and surprise attacks to take down the army! The following night all of the elves cheered again, but this time all had survived!

Echo returned to them, grateful, "This time I can open the seal." She opened the portal into the tower. The group followed her in to see a few rooms, a lab, and a large crystal with a hole in it... about the size of the soulstone. There were 6 crystal sarcophagi... each held one of the guardians. Echo Silverstar, Calla Arcslayer, Thera Stoneshield, Minaste Brightsun, Borrah Silkenmoon, and Shora Gutripper. There was also a long dead skeleton of the high mage in the corner. Thorn returned the soulstone into the hole of the crystal. Wren, Mali, and Shri channeled their magic into the mythal and Echo was able to return the city home! A whispering voice, darkly seductive, came into their minds, "No! Not my prize! ...Lionspaw!" Erevin smiled, "Remember that name well."

They could see outside that Myth Taryn had been returned to Lantan. The hedgemaze shriveled up. Elven spirits floated up into the sky. The sarcophagi melted, releasing the guardians to freedom, "What happened? Are the drow dead? I remember fighting... So much fighting... I remember dying to drow assassins over and over... I thought I was in hell." "Close enough," Thorn and Erevin both nodded at once. The crystal melted, dropping the soulstone that Thorn quickly re-pocketed.

"I did my best, Papa," Echo patted the shoulder of the mage skeleton, "I tried to save as many as I could." "You saved them all," Wren reassured her. "I wish there was more that I could... there were many good elves in the city... but at least they have gone on to Arvandor," Echo nodded a little sadly. "No one could have done more," Erevin put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry to all of you, especially you Thorn, for dragging you into this mess," Echo shook her head. "No need for apologies, in a way... consider it my mission," Thorn smiled at her. "We wont talk about that incident with the muffins... and the bed... with the kinky shit, right?" she leaned in and whispered to the halfling. He laughed, shaking his head, "Well I certainly wont mention it again."

The other guardians were talking among themselves. Echo remembered everything, but the other five guardians did not... "I don't know what to do now," Calla shook her head, "The mythal is drained. Part of the city remains, but..." "You would all be most welcomed in Myth Coramanth, I'm sure," Wren took her hands, squeezing them for reassurance. "You are welcome to walk the lands as you see fit," Erevin agreed, "Evermeet still stands. Myth Drannor could use your help. Of course, you'd be welcome in Myth Coramanth. There are still drow in the world... but Llolth is absent for now." Echo looked to the group, "Where are you all traveling now?" Kattri joined them, "We should all go home and celebrate! Hooray!" Posy grinned and nodded, "A celebration, yes... but then we must be off. We have obligations." "Only a few days?" he asked her hopefully. "A few days," she nodded, "okay."

Thera said that she would remain behind as the hills had been her whole life, "I will continue to guard Myth Taryn." "Our town is not too far away if you need supplies or hunger for conversation," Kattri offered her. The other five guardians agreed to travel with the companions for awhile.

*** Still on the list *** Posy's family time / Party in Lantan Defeat the Dungeon World Thorn - pick the locks in Mask's world and return the soulstone (Get into the Den of Sin in Lyrabar to find entrance) Erevin - Defeat Grumish with Correllion Wren - Gather the sister of water with Samira and her daughter and go into the water Posy - Go up north to deal with her dream of leading the clan into fierce battle against Ghaundahar minions Mali - Help Malicki with her dying grove that had been attacked by Ghaundahar's tentacled beasts

And DING!! Level up!! 17!