Past and Future Graves

The next morning, Kilijan, Weneon, Sagiatto, and Manasa woke up inside their tent. Tamil was already awake, preparing a map that showed the path towards Elminster's tower, which he had drawn based on Selena's description. Greg was missing from their group. Taylor then woke up. They all stepped out into Camp Zovik, where other soldiers were already having breakfast. Manasa spoke with his Giant commanders, Joi and Jerry, discussing how to handle orders within the battalions. Taylor told the party about the Battle of Tirmopil, where three hundred and four Borderkingdom soldiers marched into the Shaar desert against thousands of Shaderkai and were lost. Taylor stated that this would not be the case for them against the harengon army. As they waited for breakfast, they noticed Greg was also present. He simply acknowledged his return from the material plane, saying nothing more about it. They proceeded to eat breakfast. Kilijan then had an idea to send his homunculus, Steam Junk, flying towards the enemy lines. A halfling named Pip, who was playing the banjo, joined them and asked if he could deliver the message to the harengon. When asked why, Pip began to cry, explaining that his brother had never returned from Gossamer and had disappeared near the tower. Sagiatto promised Pip that they would find his brother. Kilijan sent Steam Junk flying towards the harengon camp, carrying a letter to the harengon leaders that said: "Surrender."

Steam Junk’s telepathic bond informed Kilijan that a harengon army was approaching. The connection ceased as Steam Junk was shot out of the sky. The party immediately ordered half of their own army to group in front of Camp Zovik as the battle was about to start. They saw figures in the distance. Harengon riders on armadillos moved across the land. A leader named Goun led them. Goun was a tall, silver-furred harengon with one dark ear-tip and bright amber eyes. His voice carried cleanly over wind, steel, and panic. His armor was finely made but practical, consisting of dark green lacquered plates over mail, bronze buckles, a short officer’s cloak, and a sash marked with the hare-banner of his host. He carried a curved sword at his hip, though he was more often seen with a marshal’s baton, a bow, or an open hand raised to steady the line. Goun’s charisma was not loud, and he did not waste words on empty glory. He spoke quickly, clearly, and with unsettling confidence, turning fear into motion before it could spread. It was Goun who had shot down Steam Junk. He caught the message attached to it and tore it in his hand before he gave the order to attack. Greg immediately cast Earthquake, stopping the harengon army from dashing towards their own forces. This gave the party’s army time to assess the situation. The range units of both armies began to exchange blows. The mounted and melee troops rushed towards each other for an immense clash. In that moment, a flashback of Greg’s time in the material plane began.

Greg arrived in the material plane late at night, materializing inside the Penthouse. He found himself in the Underways, the place the party had spoken of most, and therefore the most familiar to him. The Penthouse itself was devastated and abandoned. Greg looked around the wreckage of what had once been their hideout. He decided to seek out a drink and some company in the Underways. His wandering eventually led him to the Ta Bure tavern. Inside, Greg struck up a conversation with Jovo, a local drunk, discussing the state of affairs in the city. After a few hours, Greg left the tavern and made his way to the cemetery. He searched among the headstones until he found Andre’s grave. With some effort, Greg dug Andre’s body out of the earth. He then performed a resurrection ritual, bringing Andre back to life. Andre sat up, confused by his new surroundings. As Andre moved, an old, faded image that had been placed in his grave fell to the ground. Greg picked up the image. It showed a group of people smiling and looking happy: Silis, Andre, Marla, Kilijan, Weneon, Manasa, Lorkhan, and Mycha. Andre looked at Greg, his expression still bewildered. He asked Greg why he had been brought back to life. Greg replied that Kilijan had asked him to. Andre had no reason to doubt Greg’s words. He invited Greg to the Penthouse, and the two of them returned to the dilapidated hideout. Andre and Greg immediately set about repairing the Penthouse, working to restore it from its abandoned state. They spent the next two months on this task, slowly bringing the place back to order. When the Penthouse was finally ready, Andre told Greg that everything was now in place for Marla and Silis to return. Andre asked Greg to go back to the Feywild and invite the rest of the party to join them, while Andre would remain to await Marla and Silis.