Editing Game-Summaries:7/14/2018 Recollections (section)

===Menzoberranzan and Rescue===
Karnifax got us wondering who is lighting the [[Menzoberranzan#Narbondel|Narbondel]] if [[Gromph]] has fled the city. Had we been able to decipher more [[Undercommon]], or be more critical of our allies, we would have realized that "[[Karnifax]]" was leading us away from [[Drow Houses#House Melarn|House Melarn]] and onto the grounds of [[Drow Houses#House Yauntyrr|House Yauntyrr]]. Passing a guard post, "[[Karnifax]]" identified himself with another name, but we had no choice but to follow his lead. We were led into a holding room adorned with statues and edifices depicting scenes of Elven culture before [[Corellon]]’s betrayals. A blend of Abyssal and [[Undercommon]] labeled a plaque that was less than 1 year old. With these clues glaring in our faces, we tried a sending to "[[Karnifax]]", but I was rebuffed and my mind felt like it split in two. We were told to wait for our attendees by a voice beyond one of the sealed doors, and after several hours, the Draegloth [[Jeggred]] (formerly Draegy) and "[[Karnifax]]" approached us, assuring us that we have "nothing to fear". Then, [[Kaanyr]]’s sword appeared through [[Tallulah]]. Drow betrayal! 

Cornering "[[Karnifax]]", I eventually succumbed to the assault of "[[Karnifax]]" and [[Jeggred]] even with [[Kaylorr]]’s best efforts. The pain was too much. The darkness overwhelmed me. 

I heard the flowing of streams and the termination of their destination. The all-giving lake and flows of water through the world bequeath life to us all. Arriving at the Lady’s Lake I knew my faith was justified. The beauty of this harmony was something I’ve only read about in the few books written about experiencing [[Vivienne]]’s realm. This was [[Avalon]]. I began to weep with joy, knowing I had kept to my faith and the [[Vivienne|Lady of the Lake]] has allowed me into Avalon. I knelt to drink a mouthful of water, when the smell of sulfur suffused my nostrils. Alarmed, I looked around and noticed the surrounding forest deteriorating and falling to darkness as the sunlight became eclipsed. A presence was invading my heaven and I went to draw my sword and shield, but realized I was without anything. As I screamed for the corrupting outsider to leave this sacred place, I blinked tears out of my eyes only to see the looming shape of a figure reaching toward me. It grabbed me like I was a firefly and brought me close to it’s face when I realized this figure was no longer the corrupting invader, but [[Kaylorr]].

It’s a good thing I crafted those Revivify scrolls, but the cost of my return is...strange.

Apparently the Matron of [[Drow Houses#House Melarn|House Melarn]] and her consort saved us after [[Kaanyr]] was defeated. [[Halisstra]] and [[Cosmopolitan|Tel]] escorted us back to her house and we held palaver in a secret safe-room. She confided in us that she and her house worship [[Eilistraee]] and oppose [[Lolth]] as vehemently as possible. The [[Dyrr|Lichdrow]] has also been coordinating with her in opposing [[Lolth]] and [[Drow Houses#House Yauntyrr|House Yauntyrr]], but she does not control his actions nor understand his every machinations. [[Halisstra]] told us we had but hours before [[Danifae]] married the Demon Lord [[Demon Lords#Zuggtmoy|Zuggtmoy]]. [[Halisstra]] and I suspected the [[Underdark]] would become just another layer of the [[Abyss]]. Resuming our diplomatic duties, we offered Magistery protection to [[Halisstra]]’s people as long as they kept the peace. After she agreed, I rested to report via Sending to [[Reshi]] and another magister I had met briefly concerning the [[Underdark]]’s peril and the refugee crisis. The others went exploring during my rest, but [[Reshi]] and Melvin beckoned us to return. 

[[Halisstra]]’s plan relied on all 99 of her house meeting at a designated location to teleport outside of [[The Nightshade Kingdom]]. We arrived hours early for [[Tallulah]]’s rousing speech, but as [[Halisstra]]’s consort opened a portal out of the [[Underdark]] two members of [[Drow Houses#House Melarn|House Melarn]] were unaccounted for. [[Halisstra]] and [[Cosmopolitan|Tel]] said they would wait for them, so [[Rezik]] and I followed several of the refugee [[Drow]] through the portal. We prepared to manage the [[Drow]], but the orderly Melarn members waited for their mistress as the rest of our [[the Eternal Order|Eternal Order]] fell out of the portal, except [[Kaylorr]]. [[Ford]] and [[Zanna]] said he would wait with [[Halisstra]] and [[Cosmopolitan|Tel]] for as long as possible. After some time, we saw [[Halisstra]] fall out of the portal followed by [[Kaylorr]] who said [[Cosmopolitan|Tel]] turned into a large purple dragon and went after the two remaining members as a fissure began to race toward the teleportation circle on the floor of the cavern. We saw the portal’s edge break and wink out of existence. 

We traveled by night to accommodate the [[Drow]] and arrived in Solace on 346/7/27! Our plane travelling had amounted to a time difference of about seven times faster than Terran time measurement. With magisters on the wall keeping watch, the escort into the Magistery was without incident and [[Warden]] and [[Kord]] debriefed us before taking [[Halisstra]] into private consultation with ALL the heads of the Magistery and a previously unseen woman wearing a gold dress. She looks like she fits the profile and silhouette of [[The Seal]], according to [[Rezik]]. We attended to any injured and exhausted [[Drow]] during the time of [[Halisstra]]’s orientation to the Magistery. When she came out of the meeting, more exhausted, she informed us of her new title, [[Halisstra|The Black]]. If anyone should be in charge of wandering the planes and investigating the unknown, [[Halisstra]]’s House of Black will be most disciplined and will know who should join our ranks and who our plane should be defended against. I hope the [[The Magistery#Blacks,House of Time|House of Black]] can keep [[Avalon]] safe.

Returning to my quarters, I noticed several invitations to Magistery houses. In line with the [[Vivienne|Lady of the Lake]]’s teachings, I will join the [[The Magistery#Yellows, House of Lightning|House of Yellow]]. I hope my new friends chose wisely.