Twas early Friday evening when I was attempting to travel to Skara Brae and I noticed a sight that brought a chill to my blood. The Moongate was red, as had been predicted by the Dragon SulpHur a few weeks ago. This could only mean that the moons were now aligned, and the time had come when Mordread would attempt to destroy Rhysart's spirit. I quickly sent off communication using In Corp Quas, letting many others know of the situation. Some were already aware and making preparations. I dropped in on Kazola's tavern, and the host was beginning to gather. I left then, as it appeared that events would be taking some time to develop. The Golden Dragons were not yet present, and their promised gate, not yet materialized. I left for the Abbey, and continued to tell the tale of the red moongate, making sure that enough knew.

A couple of hours passed, and I returned to Kazola's Tavern. By this time, a mighty war host had gathered, overflowing both the tavern and courtyard. Unfortunately, there was a Southerly breeze also, bringing the thick noxious air from Britain up over the Serpent's Spine. It was hard to be anything but sluggish under those conditions. A small group of us split off to the eastern entrance of the hedges, acting both to make room, and to keep a watch in case of attack. In this group were my fellow Yew Militia members, Althea Greenfay, Lifestar, and Allen Grey, as well as Yew residents, Carde, Uncer, Tanya Keklam, and my wife Ashera. One Lich was then heard and tracking showed evidence of its passing, but it soon dissapeared. Still, its presence put us on our toes, as the Dragons had not yet appeared to help us, and seemed overdue. Talk of an attack on the tavern became rampant, and small fortifications and barricades were being built for defense purposes. But these measures were to no avail, as the attack came not from Liches, but from bombers who gated into the courtyard and let loose a stream of explosions. A half dozen fell to this attack, as the thick air prevented assistance or escape. As has come to be expected, the more depraved residents began looting and then recalling to safety. The assembled host began to grow angry and apprehensive, as the Dragons still had not appeared, and more attacks seemed likely. Worse yet, the moons would soon be perfectly aligned, allowing Mordread to begin his foul ritual. The crowd thinned and spread out, but a large number of warriors remained.

Finally the event we had been waiting for occurred, the arrival of TalHur and SulpHur. As has come to be expected, they were not happy with the humans crowding them, but the vast numbers all but necessitated it. They also mentioned being hungry, although this may have simply been a ploy to buy some room. They apologized for the lateness of their arrival, but TalHur said that the gate, "Took a while to complete." One can only assume that Mordread was attempting to block its formation, as he needed more time until the exact alignment of the moons. We had little time to waste, and soon the Dragons created a grey moongate for us to proceed. The first few through the gate should be accorded accolades, as they knew they were plunging into extreme danger, yet they did not shirk from their duty. Any glory gained by those that followed was only won by the blood of those first hardy souls. As I approached the gate myself, my horse Dusk grew apprehensive so near the dragons, making it hard to move. The crowd slowly pushed to the gate, but the foul air from Britain was still with us. We feared for those allready through, and slowly moved to join them. As I passed the dragons, I nodded said, "Luck be with you." SulpHur replied, "And to thee." The dragons also started moving to the gate with that, and we passed through into a killing zone.

The first wave of Liches already lay dead on the ground, and the first wave of courageous warriors as well. The air here was even thicker than at the tavern, with the thick stench of undead and magickly charred flesh filling the air. Most were frozen in place as soon as they exited the gate, and it was hard to put up any sort of organized resistance to the liches. But the toll of numbers was on our side, and eventually we won free from the immediate location of the gate, allowing the last stragglers to proceed through. It was then that another 15 liches attakced the group, but these were handled far easier, as the group had spread out enough to allow for more effective fighting tactics. The host began to proceed to the North along the coast, and it was then that I recognized the island. 'Tis one of the Eastern Valorian Isles, north of the Shrine of Valor, and west of Serpent's Hold. It is best known for an abandoned temple, and the numerous Silver Serpents. It would seem that Mordread intended to put that temple and altar to nefarious use this eve. I sheared off to the east heading to the temple, when I heard RedRum cry out, "Black dragons East!" With that, the host turned to its right, and the Golden Dragons came as well.

And black dragons there indeed were. At least a half dozen waited on the front steps of the temple, as if they were expecting us. There was no imminent attack however, and I walked down to the eastern edge, allowing for more room for those who were to follow. The dragon spoke, and asked, "What doth thy puny self desire?" It was at this time that I first caught a glimpse of Rhysart's ghost further up on the temple. I moved closer to get a better look, but we were warned off, "Step no closer, hu...mans" the dragon growled. Carde, also spotted Rhysart at this point, and attempted to ressurect him. Mordread's hold on him was too strong still, and the spell failed. The dragons did not take kindly to the attempt and we were warned, "We shall kill thee if thou doth try." At this point I asked, "What must we do to pass?" to which the dragon replied, "Pass? Why would I let you pass?" But with a greedy gleam in his eye, he added, "The only think I seek is gold. Perhaps thou has a good amount? Perhaps ye might share it? I would add it to my horde." At this I smiled, as I knew that the residents of Yew were overflowing with gold long gained over the months. The dragon also stated that we should, "Bring me food as well." Both LD and myself were carrying some chicken, and the dragon instructed us to, "Drop the food at the steps." This we did, but the Dragon then added that he was eyeing Dusk, who had carried me there, "The horse looks as if it would make a far better meal." I was beginning to understand the hunger these dragons had, and was searching for a solution. Not wanting Dusk to end up as dragon-fodder, I told them, "I fear Dusk is not very tasty, too many years of tough riding." The dragon snorted a plume of noxious smoke, and while licking his massive jaw said, "I would disagree." At this time Ashera had rejoined me, and reminded me that we had 50 cooked ribs that she had hunted and prepared back at our store's workshop. I had not yet put them on sale with all the confusion of tonight. She marked me a rune for the temple, and I recalled to Yew to get the food and gold. As I did so, the fatal mistake was made. Erdan casted an energy vortex on the dragons, and Theo a blade spirit. As I dissapeared, the avoidable battle broke out.

Hoping it was not too late to avert the hostilities I gathered up the food and grabbed 4000 gold from the bank, as I could carry no more. I recalled back to the temple, but it soon became apparant that I was too late. Numerous bodies lay scattered about temple steps, and the dragons were continuing to hunt down the few who were present. I hid behind a tree, and started scattering the ribs about in an attempt to distract the dragons. It was to no avail. They had gotten the taste of human blood, and were no longer going to be reasoned with. With Lifestar and Uncer I then circled to the east of the temple, remembering that you could gain access to the plaza from the back corners as well as the stairs. Uncer and I sneaked up behind the altar, Mordread was intently gazing up at the moons which had almost reached the feared alignment. Rhysart's ghost was still next to him, and gazing up at the moons myself I shuddered when I saw the first moon, a thin crescent with the tips pointing upward, had almost lined up perfectly above the second, full, moon. They were beginning to grow red tinged like the moongates, and Mordread had begun a low guttural chant. Barely interrupting his preparations, he dispatched Soul Seeker and Pitt, muttering, "Out of the way human, this is between the hermit and I." The wind rose as Mordread lifted his arms, lightning crackling out of the end of his staff. A small vortex began to circle Rhysart's ghost, as he wailed. But more people had eluded the dragons and come up on the altar, Mordread had no choice but to pause in his ritual to deal with them. Knowing he was still invulnerable to his blows, he attacked relentlessly. However a few eluded his attacks and someone successfully cast ressurect on the spirit of Rhysart. I believe it was Sarzec Talik who managed the deed, but I cannot be sure.

In the confusion that followed, Rhysart pulled out his famous red crossbow, and somehow obtained the Bolt of Purity. He stared into the hollow eye sockets of the Lich and fired. The bolt's path was traced with a luminous streak of white, and it embedded itself in the Lich's chest. Mordread gazed down, seemingly stunned by the attack. He looked up to the sky and screamed, as his Lich body collapsed around him. A frail spectre emerged from the ruins of the Lich Body, and Mordread was now vulnerable to our attacks. While dodging dragon attacks, we focused our attention on finishing off the Lich. Rhysart attempted to bring more to the action by crying out, "Mordread is here, he is vulnerable!" I fired my crossbow once, and proceeded to move closer to the action. Sarzec, Dyson and Abigail Mordain were all in the center of the fighting. Dyson fell, but Mordread was now badly injured. Once Honey, Devon, and Odinwolf arrived, Mordread was overwhlemed and killed. Rhysart bent down and removed the bolt of purity from the corpse of the former lich, and Mordread's body collapsed into dust as the moons finally became aligned.

Unfortunatly the battle was not over, and dragons still abounded. Uncer and I were slain in the rear of a temple, as our entreaties for assisstance were ignored by people celebrating the death of Mordread. Dusk continued to fight over my dead body, but was not killed as the dragon was distracted from his meal by other fighters. The black dragon then plowed into the main group, killing others, including Yew Town Bard, Tanya Keklam. Eventually the dragons were all dispatched. But looters, as always, followed the dead. I was fortunate in that Dusk partially hid my body from sight, and Ashera recognizing my horse, came and retrieved my items (including the 4000 gold). Others were not as fortunate, as the vultures that are the bane of any noble person descended. 'Tis a sad testament that the cause of rescuing Rhysart attracts both the noblest and most base of our realm. Many ressurections then followed, as the dragons TalHur and SulpHur assisted, as well as many human mages. Arda brought me back to life, and I gave him two ressurection scrolls in thanks. A grey gate was again created, and brought us back to Kazola's tavern, but this time with Rhysart whole, Mordread dead and his threats forever ended.