We took a short rest, then hurried to the interior of the temple. We defeated the last remnants of the Vizier's bodyguards and entered the main chapel. Avonazemon, the despicable Vecna traitor, was waiting for us. He had just finished desecrating the altar of Erathis and a column of hands and eyes was swirling around the altar. With a flick of his hand he ensnared Adolfiel in the nasty cloud and started playing cat and mouse with us. Ghesh, Tyrion and Streisan charged hi, but we found to our dismay that the Vizier had powerful ways of persuassion. All of us had problems trying to focus on him, and sometimes he would wave his hands and fingers and we would act as puppets in a theatre, awkwardly following his dirty commands. Also, the corruption of Vecna was strong near the altar, and we felt our life forces flow into the horrible column.
Even with all his dirty tricks, it looked like the Vizier was not going to be able to stop our coordinated efforts, but then he took control of Streisan and my poor sister could not resist the insidious commands of the Vizier; one quick thrust of her spear was enough to leave the already weakened Ghesh prone. The Vizier knew he was defeated, but his cruel mind was not going to pass into Oblivion without causing even more damage than he had already caused. He saw the opportunity and commanded Streisan to finish off the Paladin. With a forced expression in her face and yanking movements, Streisan plunged her spear in Ghesh's body. When we saw the Paladin expire, we were all enraged by this ignoble act and charged the Vizier with holy fury. His subsequent defeat was poor consolation for our bitter loss.
We left the temple bloody, exhausted and with tears running down our cheeks, carefully carrying Ghesh's mangled corpse.The mayor of Relkingham and the guards and rangers of the city were also devastated, having suffered the loss of many friends and colleagues. We all embraced each other, knowing we had barely been able to save the city from Vecna's doom.
We went to the inn to rest and bathe ourselves, then I started writing this long sad entry in my diary, my mind was filled with all the glorious moments with Ghesh, and I meditated on the elven prayer "Friends Farewell" and my eyes were moist again.
"Aeons passed since our essence
from the Maelstrom of Chaos was fished
and in the beautiful Wheel of Living
we were allowed to roam free.
Our threads entwined such a short time
and yet that I knew you always it seemed
now you wander the forest no longer
and the Feywild your home is to be.
Will you cross again the waters?
Will you again in the Circle live?
I hope I'll recognise your likeness
when the Wheel's next turn makes us meet."
from the Maelstrom of Chaos was fished
and in the beautiful Wheel of Living
we were allowed to roam free.
Our threads entwined such a short time
and yet that I knew you always it seemed
now you wander the forest no longer
and the Feywild your home is to be.
Will you cross again the waters?
Will you again in the Circle live?
I hope I'll recognise your likeness
when the Wheel's next turn makes us meet."
