The party is walking through the Fleshmarkets of Alushinyrra, on their way to the Rapture of Rupture, when the world goes dark. This darkness is so complete that it obscures even darkvision-- though Malak can occasionally make out movement with his draconic senses. The heroes are attacked furipously from all sides, and are largely helpless. Finally, Elaryan dispels the darkness, revealing their attacker to be the assassin Nezirrius and her shadow doubles. Malak is disabled and Arthas is slain, as Nezirrius fires upon the party from a second-floor window. Nor summons a wind wall to block the assassin's arrows, but she responds with a blasphemy spell that banishes everyone but Elaryan (and the body of Arthas) back to the Prime Material plane. In the blink of an eye, Malak and Nor find themselves back on the Prime Material plane. They are in Anestral City, but it is almost unrecognizable. A thick carpet of fungus covers much if the town, and zombie-like fungal creatures roam its streets. Fortunately, the corruption has not spread to the upper city, and the heroes find refuge there. They discover that the people of Anestral City have been waging a constant war against the spread of the fungus, and have held it at bay somewhat. No one in the capital city is certain where the scourge originated, though Malak has his suspicious. Soon, Malak and Nor are joined by Arueshulae, Arthas, and Elaryan. Arueshulae has traveled all the way from the Midnight Fane with the husk of Arthas's ancestor, Yaniel. Arthas and Elaryan have plane shifted home, thanks to a servant of Erastil that the paladin summoned (after being raised by Elaryan). Arueshulae returns Yaniel's husk to Arthas, and the party makes its way to Bladechapel Manor. Dierna Hillerchaun is happy to see them, and amazed that they have discovered Yaniel's body after all this time. She summons her greatest clerics to her, and they break Minagho's enchantment upon the husk. Yaniel's spirit appears to the heroes, thankful for the opportunity to return to the bosom of Iomedae. Before she leaves, she blesses Radiance , restoring it to its full power. The companions rest for one night at Bladechapel Manor. The next morning, they are confronted by Moynath Autumnsong, guildmaster of the Inverted Pyramid. He reveals that he is willing to return them to the Midnight Isles, using his amulet of the planes, so that they can continue their mission. The heores join hands, and moments later, they are back in Alushinyrra. Autumnsong returns to the Prime Material plane, as the party continues onward to the Rapture of Rupture. At the Rapture, the heroes talk their way into an audience with Vellexia. The ancient succubus sits upon a radiant throne of ivory and obsidian that floats five feet above the ground. Her choir-- a pair of blood-soaked lillend-- slithers in two gore-spattered cages to either side. In her had, she holds a huge tome covered in writhing Abyssal runes. Infinitely bored, Vellexia challenges the heroes to provide her with mythic entertainment. Malak is the first to step forward. For the past year, he has carried the metal axe upon his back, but never has he wielded it. Now he unslings the might axe and begins to rock . Arthas cheers him on as the draconic warrior delivers wave after wave of heavy metal. Vellexia is impressed. Next, Lor steps forward. He keels over, dead, and produces a single sprout from his body. Vellexia seems confused. Arthas offers to amuse the succubus with his riding ability. Intrigued, Vellexia adjusts the universe so that the paladin has sufficient room to perform. Arthas summons hubris, and the duo performs epic acts of acrobatics. Vellexia smiles. It is Nor's turn. The sickly halfling summons a stone drum from the very ground, and begins to play. His performance is perhaps less emotional, less raw, than the power chords that poured forth from Malak's axe, but his technique is flawless. The succubus is intrigued. Finally, Elaryan steps forward, and begins to speak. He talks of the history of magic, of the arcane arts, and of the paths the heroes have traveled. It is literally the most boring speech the other heroes have ever heard. Yet, just as they are about to fall asleep, Elaryan begins to discuss the book in Vellexia's hands. The fungal sorcerer knows-- or perhaps has guessed-- a great deal about the book, and Vellexia seems intrigued. He has identified it as a book of infinite spells , and has determined that its runes are caused by pages from the Book of the Damned which are tucked inside. His explanation reaches an unintellible, fevered pitch as he rants about the "player characters" upon its surface. The other heroes are certain that his gibberish has doomed them all, but Vellexia seems awestruck at his explanation. She congratulates the party on their performances, and hands over the pages that they seek. Everyone gains 25,000 XP. The party's Notoriety is now 30. Also, entertaining Vellexia is considered a mythic trial.
