The party wakes in their quarters at Bladechapel, though Arthas was too busy praying to actually sleep. They discover that Malak has mysteriously disappeared in the night; none of the Knights of the Pale saw him go. Tensions are high at the manor because supplies are running low and a mysterious disease has killed off serveral of the paladins' horses. The heroes decide to investigate the final cultist safehouse, the Tower of Estrod. The tower is located across town in what was once the Guildsman District, so the party begins to make their way through the lower city's ruins. Aster a week of ulkreth activity, few structures are standing, though most of the worse fires have died out. Halfway to their destination, the companions are ambushed by a large, winged demon wielding black knives. Elaryan identifies this as a vrolikai which, like the ulkreth, serve the Demon Lord Xoveron. This is a fierce opponent; her knives and gaze drain life energy, and she quickly summons two glabrezu demons to her aid. Overwhelmed, the party retreats. They choose a less direct path to the Tower of Estrod, circumventing the area where Xoveron and his handmaidens are active. When they arrive at the tower, they find that its upper sections have been shorn away. The heroes fly over the structure's walls and discover two cultists of Baphomet in the courtyard below. A fierce battle ensues, as the cultists are joined, first by a tiefling magus named Faxon, then by a glaive-wielding inquisitor named Hosilla. This time, the heroes are successful; they defeat all of their enemies, and explore the tower's ruins. In a basement lair, they find a grisly altar, much treasure, and another note from Staunton Vhane to Hosilla. In this latest missive, Vhane reveals that he has brought the sword of valor deeper into the Hellmouth, to a citadel that the forces of evil have erected their. The party is one step closer to retrieving the banner and closing the Hellmouth for good. Everyone who played gains 5,000 XP
