In the instant the bolt of lightning struck, turning his phylactery, the blue flame shrouded wing topped golden scepter that had rarely been out of his hand, to molten slag, the netherese lich realized his undead existence had come to an unexpected and abrupt end. The weight of seventeen centuries of unnatural existence came crashing down on him, dooming his vile soul to the whatever pit of the damned would have him as his desiccated flesh and bones disintegrated, silencing his blood-curdling howl of furious denial. A deafening silence fell over the chamber as the echo of the lich’s dying shriek and the thunderous crack of the lightning bolt faded away. For a moment, the quintet of adventurers froze in shock, struggling to believe that their audacious plan had actually worked… the lich was gone! All that remained on the throne were crumbled robes, but the young warrioress was still slumped beside it, unconscious and likely injured by the blasts of force from Syl’s arrows that disabled the lich, while Elzabeth struggled to her feet. Although she’d dove to the side to avoid being caught in fray, the concussive bursts had knocked the wind out of her. Faeryl instinctively rushed to the unconscious woman, praying to Eilistraee for aid as she cast one of her strongest spells which would heal serious wounds, sensing that she’d suffered greatly at the lich’s hand. While Tarl continued forward to inspect the creature’s remains, wanting to be sure he was truly eradicated and wouldn’t return to wreak vengeance on them, but he found only a pile of dust in his empty robe and a few pieces of jewelry. Aeron took up a post at the doors to guard against any of the lich’s minions that might respond to its dying cry, Syl quivering uneasily in his hand, as Galen and Nykira made a quick sweep of the antechambers to be sure there were no hidden threats lurking in the shadows. Feeling the foreboding sense of doom that haunted her since the lich inflicted the geas on her finally lift, Elzabeth hesitantly approached the throne, barely able to believe she was actually rid of the vile creature until she scooped up a handful of his powdery remains and let them sift through her fingers, as a broad victorious smile grew upon her lips, the first true display of true emotion the companions had seen from her. After years of forced servitude to the single most depraved and evil being she’d ever encountered, she was finally free of him… and this hellish dungeon. Tana groaned in pain, feeling herself being pulled back from the comfort of the dark pit of unconsciousness, her only reprieve from the debasing torment of the amoral monster that held her under its dominance, as a wave of regenerating energy flow through her abused and battered body. Her eyes fluttering open and slowly found their focus only to yelp in fright at the sight before her… a drow! “Easy girl… you’re safe now,” the Faeryl tried to sooth her in a reassuring tone. “The lich is gone, and I’ve healed your injuries. We’ll do our best to see you safely out of this horrible place.” “You’re a drow… I know about your kind.” the young warrioress snapped hostilely as she recoiled against the hard stone wall. Though she’d never actually met one, she’d heard their reputation as foul creatures from the depths of the underdark who were known to trade with the dark masters of Zhentil Keep, the oppressive city she’d fled only a few years ago, which was enough proof of their wickedness for her. But even as she felt her fight or flight reflex rose, she realized that the repulsive sensation of the lich’s dominance over her was gone. Whatever the drow had done… she was finally free of the vile creature! ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Disclaimer: Some of the material presented here may be the property of Wizards of the Coast, LLC© taken from the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Setting authored by Ed Greenwood & Sean Renyolds, the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Accessory Silver Marches® authored by Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl and/or other sourcebooks registered to Wizards of the Coast, LLC©. This is unofficial “Fan Content” permitted under Wizards of the Coast, LLC© Fan Content Policy, it is not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, LLC©.