If I May Be So Bold

The party has been travelling together for 3 weeks, heading to see the changebringer, Avandra. As they come to the top of the mountain where they expect to find her, Aravad tells them a little about her. As they come around the final turn, they spot a storm giant smashing at the temple, trying to destroy it.

The 4 adventurers charge into the fight. As Aravad goes to animate a figurehead above a fountain in the temple, Avandra herself steps out of it to observe. They make short work of the giant, with Signe finishing it off with a stab into its guts.

Avandra asks them to introduce themselves, which they do. They tell her that they are looking for her help, and she says that she will help them, but she needs their help first. She is exhausted by gods who are fighting among themselves, and wants them to help resolve a dispute. They agree, but Maddrian asks for a few moments to bury the giant first, to which she agrees.

While the others bury the body, Avandra speaks to Ruby, asking her to tell her about herself. Ruby does so, and Avandra says that she is fascinated with the halfling race, and worries for their safety. She pledges to help Ruby if Ruby and her friends help her.

Maddrian gives a little speech over the shallow grave that they bury the giant in. They return to Avandra, who transports them all to the Astral Sea. They approach a group of 3 gods, who Avandra tells them are Pelor, Zehir, and Khala. She tells them that Zehir and Khala are fighting against Pelor, and asks them to remind all 3 of what is really important.

Aravad tells the others a little more about the 3 deities, and suggests that Ruby be the one to speak to them. As they approach, they discover that the deities are arguing over what to do about endless winter. Ruby proposes that their dominions be shared - half the world be in winter at a time, and the other half in summer, and then switch. The gods are somewhat abashed by the halfling's simple solution.

Avandra brings the group back to her temple. The four of them are stunned and pleased at how that discussion went. They decide to rest for the evening, and spot a set of stairs heading down the mountainside. As they follow the stairs, Ruby looks back and sees a painting on the ceiling, which had been blurry, take the shape of herself, discoursing with the gods, her friends at her back.

A woman comes and finds Aravad, telling him that Thorizdun has gone mad. She says they have asked her to help, and she has come to ask his permission. Addressing her as Arhdinea, he tells her she doesn't need his permission, and that he is following the wishes of Tavlaniel.

As they sleep, Maddrian has a dream, of two figures, standing on a cliff. One is surrounded with blue light, the other with red. The figure in red stabs the figure in blue in the chest before Maddrian can stop them. Maddrian wakes up in a panic, and tells Signe about the dream. As he does so, he remembers that the events of the dream took place somewhere in the Shadowfell.

As Signe walks away, Maddrian asks her why she's fighting in this war, and she tells him she's fighting for her son. In the morning, they tell Aravad about the dream. Maddrian decides to slip back into the dream to figure out whether the vision is in the past or the future. He gets the impression that the events of the dream are about 50 years in the future.

As they prepare to leave, they decide to leave an offering for Avandra. Ruby takes out a set of thieve's tools and offers them. She is enveloped with warmth, as the offering is accepted.