The heroes return to Alushinyrra. After resting for a few hours, Arthas, Elaryan, Eovan, and Malak meet in Coomundax's tavern to discuss their strategy. Malak suggests that they should visit Shamira, the city's ruler, to request an audience with Nocticula. No one has a better idea, so the companions travel to Shamira's palace, the Harem of Ardent Dreams. There they discover legions of hopefuls who gather at the mile-wide plaza along the building's facade; some have been there for a very long time. The easiest way to gain entry, it seems, is to prove oneself a master of the "sexual arts", but no one in the party is willing to seduce one of the the balor guards. Asking around, the heroes learn that Shamira's clerk, a gallu named Atroxus, can be bribed. So they return to Battlebliss arena to make their their fortune. Events at the arena need arranged to be arranged by a manager, so the party tracks down Nulkineth, the half-nabasu who represented Malak and Elaryan in their battle against the incubus Gelderfang. The current champion is a beholder named Bal'brax, but Malak is reluctant to battle such a ferocious enemy. So Nulkineth suggests an unarmed match, with the four heroes matched against some local talent. The heroes agree, then return to their inn while the match is arranged. The next starnight, Nulkineth meets the party and leads them to Battlebliss. He has found four kalavakus demons who are willing to fight the heroes. because it is an unarmed match, no weapons, gear, or spells are allowed. Elaryan and Eovan are a little dismayed at this news, but Malak-- transforming into his dragon form--- is excited by the prospect. Arthas for his part needs no weapons to defeat evil. The match begins, and goes about as expected. Arthas, Elaryan, and Eovan all contribute as much as they can, but Malak is the true star. The kalavakus warriors are no match for his barrage of draconic attacks. Once the match is complete, Nulkineth gives the party their winnings. The heroes return to the palace, and use their new-found wealth to bribe their way in. They are admitted to Shamira’s throne hall, a decadent chamber that serves as a harem as much as a seat of power. Shamira, a succubus with flaming wings, awaits them on her throne, a shimmering construct of force and fire that hovers a few feet above a pool of bubbling lava. At first, the fiery demoness seems uninterested in the party's quest, but after much negotiation, she offers a deal. If the companions are able to secure for her a few pages from the Book of the Damned, pages currently in the possession of the succubus Vellexia, she will bring their case to Nocticula. The heroes agree, and as a symbol of their agreement, Malak accepts Shamira's profane benediction . Everyone who played gains 2,000 XP. The party's Notoriety in Alushinyrra is now 20.
