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Page 10 July 10, 1202: The party has returned home from the Littleborough. Steven has returned to his complex to find his castle secure and construction going well. Roman has decided to stay in Hommlet and see what the party's next move is going to be. Renchor has decided to return to his home and check on his dragon and other companions. Natasha has returned to Fladrif's castle in hopes to learn a new spell. Mirazda has decided to return to the forest surrounding Littleborough and talk with the Treant leader and Centaur leader concerning Natasha. Nomad has returned to The Prism to secure the complex and get ready for the next visit from the Beholder. Morgan is visited by a beautiful woman dressed in a white toga. Morgan recognizes this woman as the demi-god Nurl and she is requesting payment for services rendered during the battle with the dragon. As Nurl and Morgan talk, a female Drow warrior appears. "Greetings fools," she says. "Stand aside Morgan and I may allow you to live. Interfere and you will face death as well." Morgan can tell the Drow is a deific in nature. After a few comments back and forth, a battle between Zinzerrena (Zin-zuh-RAY-nuh) and Nurl erupts. The battle takes several minutes, but it ends with Zinzerrena beheading Nurl. Grasping Nurl's head by the hair, Zinzerrena looks at Morgan and says "You are not fated to die today, but if you give me a reason, I'd be happy to change fate. Still, you may yet serve The Spider Queen's purposes." Morgan takes no action and Zinzerrena teleports away. While writing this spell in her spell book, Natasha is struck with an overwhelming sense of dread. Visions of Nurl, Thal, and Lok (the 3 demi-gods) being slain by 3 powerful Drow bombard Natasha's mind. Although the vision lasts only brief moment, Natasha knows that Drow who attached the 3 demi-gods were gods themselves. Suddenly, Natasha's face boils with pain and spider eyes erupt from her face. Her curse has returned and she is stricken blind. July 18, 1202: The party consisting of Steven, Natasha, Morgan, Saddanar, Nomad, Gar, Renchor, and Roman receive invitations to meet with Mentor the White, a wizard of mysterious reputation. The meeting is as follows: "Greetings, I would like to thank you all for coming. I have called this meeting with great sadness. One as old as I seeks times of good tidings not of ill omens. Yet, these are the days which we live, thus we must push back against the evil that seeks to destroy. A dear friend of mine, The Cobbler, lays in his shop near death. Three days ago, The Cobbler was attacked and nearly killed by Keptolo a Drow demi-god." "For years the dark ones have worked in silence; watching, plotting, and subverting. The leaders of Nulb are little more than puppets dancing on Drow strings. You and your friends have been irritants, but have failed to do little more than annoy the dark queen. The Cobbler has tried in small ways to open the eyes of you and your friends, but you have stumbled as blind men, refusing to see the truth. Now, however, the blind must see for great danger abounds. Unless the dark ones are attacked soon, someone close to you will fall. Who that will be I do not know, but I see the dark ones attacking like locusts and I feel sadness for you and your friends. Make no mistake, the circle will be broken and no magic possessed by you or your friends will make it whole again. You must take the battle to the underdark or risk losing everything you hold dear." "The Drow have significant forces in Nulb, near New Moret and in dozens of locations scattered about. The fate of the realms has yet to be told, but no victory can be secured until Lolth's generals found and killed; they will control the battle from the underdark. I need a small elite force to enter the underdark and take the battle to the Drow. I need you to be that force. Will you go take the battle to the Drow?" After limited discussion, the party reluctantly agrees. The White Wizard continues,"You must continue battle where you last fought the Fire Giants. A college of mine will meet you there in 2 days. I have a feeling that you will find something that was taken from you long ago. Before you go, I have a few words of advice. Of all the Drow, none is greater than Zesstra. Her fortress is great and her power is greater. Diverting through her tower could take months off your journey, but may prove deadly as well. Those who meet death on her soil will not taste life again. I recommend avoiding Zesstra and her Tower." The Wizard turns to Morgan, " You are new to this world. You have proven your foolishness and your bravery. Mostly however, luck has been on your side. You have something that does not belong to you. Get rid of it, no good can come of it."
The Wizard turns to Natasha, "Lolth's curse has been restored. It cannot be lifted, but it can be eased. You will face many hardships for Lolth's curse is not be taken lightly. This is very important, before you face Lolth, you must destroy the Crown of the Spider Queen. Deal the death blow against Lolth and the curse will be lifted, and your powers will be restored."
The Wizard turns to Steven, " Steven for years you have wanted to proved yourself to the Gods and ascend to hero status. You will face many challenges on this quest, but to take one step closer to becoming the quasi-deity of warriors, you must kneel at Thor's Hammer and survive the challenges that follow."
The Wizard turns to Renchor, "At times you have proved yourself to be a valiant and brave warrior, but you have also proven that youth and inexperience are not substitutes for common sense and experience. As the welder of Moradin you are special; for you did not choose the weapon, it chose you. Hold true to the ideas you live by for you will face a mighty foe that your comrades will be powerless against."
The Wizard turns to Nomad, " I see great struggles ahead for you. The wizard's of the underdark have powers that rival your own. As dangerous as these wizards may be, others will seek to destroy your mind without ever casting a spell. Beware of those who guard Manzessine for they are powerful. There is more there than meets the eye."
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