andnbsp;

...and battling for 100 years
through countless foul pits...

andnbsp;

...its dark power
is finally within my reach.

andnbsp;

andnbsp;

...for I am already dead.

andnbsp;

Giving birth to this nightmare is
my most coveted dream.

andnbsp;

andnbsp;

...the ancient stone, the endless wind. "

andnbsp;

The four elements.

andnbsp;

My God.

andnbsp;

The Libram.

andnbsp;

A dragon, buried in Hearth Mountain?

andnbsp;

What is this I hear of
creeping poison and buried dragons?

andnbsp;

My dear girl, are you so covetous
of a position in Council...

andnbsp;

...that you're willing
to fabricate a drama?

andnbsp;

With all due respect,
she's not fabricating anything.

andnbsp;

I saw it with my own eyes.

andnbsp;

- What did you discover?
- Not I, Your Majesty.

andnbsp;

Three thousand years ago, Falazure...

andnbsp;

...the evil dragon god
of decay and undeath...

andnbsp;

...descended upon
the ancient civilization of Turan.

andnbsp;

The Turanian mages drew their power
from the elemental forces of nature...

andnbsp;

...earth, air, fire and water...

andnbsp;

...and they had become so powerful that
they refused to pay Falazure tribute.

andnbsp;

Whole cities were razed.
Thousands died.

andnbsp;

But in the end, the Turanians
were able to defeat the night dragon.

andnbsp;

Nonsense. You can't kill a god.

andnbsp;

The Turanians were able to imprison
Falazure within Hearth Mountain...

andnbsp;

...and trap his powers in a black orb.

andnbsp;

Where did you hear such tales?

andnbsp;

The Libram of Turan.

andnbsp;

I've heard, but how? Where?

andnbsp;

- Here.
- Here?

andnbsp;

In Ismir's library.
Hidden for 1000 years.

andnbsp;

Tell me more about this orb.
Where is it kept?

andnbsp;

Even without all his powers,
Falazure is still a mighty dragon.

andnbsp;

There's no prison that
could hold him indefinitely.

andnbsp;

So the Turanians placed the orb
in suspended animation...

andnbsp;

- ... that kept the dragon dormant.
Then they built a fortress...

andnbsp;

...around the orb to ensure
that Falazure would never rise again.

andnbsp;

So why does he stir now?

andnbsp;

The Turanians never recovered
from their battle with Falazure.

andnbsp;

Their cities crumbled,
and their magic was lost.

andnbsp;

For over 1000 years now...

andnbsp;

...no one maintained
the defenses guarding the orb.

andnbsp;

Your Majesty, we fear that someone...

andnbsp;

...has penetrated
the weakened Turanian fortress...

andnbsp;

...and removed the orb
from its suspension.

andnbsp;

So when will Falazure awaken?

andnbsp;

The Libram says the night dragon will free
himself by the dark of the first new moon.

andnbsp;

And the land will be consumed
by wickedness. He will kill us all.

andnbsp;

- What are they doing?
- It's a discern-location spell.

andnbsp;

They're combining their power
to try and find the orb.

andnbsp;

I have broken your paltry spell.

andnbsp;

andnbsp;

...to test her powers.

andnbsp;

We must impress upon her
the importance of this quest.

andnbsp;

andnbsp;

Without it, we have nothing.

andnbsp;

Berek, you must not fail.

andnbsp;

The forces of evil are gathering, and
the righteous citizens of Ismir are in peril.

andnbsp;

You five have been summoned here
to represent them...

andnbsp;

...and to be the champions
of all that is good.

andnbsp;

Cunning, wisdom...

andnbsp;

...intelligence and strength,
together but without direction.

andnbsp;

Berek, it is your duty
to lead this quest.

andnbsp;

You must find Falazure's orb
and return it to Ismir.

andnbsp;

It shall be done.

andnbsp;

To the Council of Mages goes the task...

andnbsp;

...of discovering how to place the orb
back into suspended animation.

andnbsp;

Without that knowledge,
its recovery is useless.

andnbsp;

Two perilous tasks.

andnbsp;

Both must be completed before
the night dragon awakes...

andnbsp;

...and destroys us all.
If one fails, they both fail.

andnbsp;

But do not despair, proceed in the belief
that your comrades will succeed...

andnbsp;

...and we will be victorious.

andnbsp;

I'm ready.

andnbsp;

- What do we have tonight?
- Drow.

andnbsp;

The ecstasy of life.

andnbsp;

The barbarian is very beautiful.

andnbsp;

Melora, you know she was chosen
for her skill in battle, not her looks.

andnbsp;

So you agree that she is beautiful.

andnbsp;

You waste your energy on such thoughts,
but I'll not leave you while you're unwell.

andnbsp;

Berek, I'll be fine. You must go.

andnbsp;

- This illness is unnatural.
- My strength is returning.

andnbsp;

I am merely preserving it
for the days ahead.

andnbsp;

Ismir needs you more than I.

andnbsp;

Hey, rogue, do you want a hand up?

andnbsp;

You'll be the one
who'll be needing a hand...

andnbsp;

...if you don't take that paw off me.

andnbsp;

Rogue, it's too early
to be spilling blood.

andnbsp;

Even for me.

andnbsp;

Sir Berek, I don't have to remind you
that time is of the essence.

andnbsp;

I understand all too well, Your Majesty.

andnbsp;

It is precisely for this reason
that we journey to Malek's vault.

andnbsp;

Malek built a pool of the sight.

andnbsp;

It'll penetrate Damodar's defenses
and show us the orb's location.

andnbsp;

Then Ormaline can teleport us there.

andnbsp;

Many adventurers have sought
Malek's vault. None have returned.

andnbsp;

Ismir is at risk,
so risks are what we must take.

andnbsp;

Do you know the location
of this evil place?

andnbsp;

I don't, but I know who does.

andnbsp;

- Who?
The goblins of Kurtl.

andnbsp;

Tell me, Lux, what did your brother see
at Barrier Peaks that drove him crazy?

andnbsp;

- Tread carefully, rogue.
- I am treading carefully.

andnbsp;

I was at the Lincroft Inn
the night Jatt killed all those people.

andnbsp;

As was I.

andnbsp;

Yes, and if memory serves, it was
your sword that ended his madness.

andnbsp;

How to be sure that she, too,
won't go berserk and put us all at risk?

andnbsp;

Do you doubt my control?

andnbsp;

The next time you try that,
you'd better kill me.

andnbsp;

As captain of the king's guard, duty
demanded that I confront your brother.

andnbsp;

Duty is why I am on this quest.

andnbsp;

And I have no quarrel with you.

andnbsp;

What in-?

andnbsp;

Falazure stirs.

andnbsp;

The tremors are growing in frequency.

andnbsp;

Consider it an incentive.

andnbsp;

But, sir,
the Libram remains a mystery.

andnbsp;

Why, if they intended for us
to use their magic...

andnbsp;

...would the Turanians hide it so well?

andnbsp;

I'm sure the Turanian mages...

andnbsp;

...did not want this might falling
into unworthy hands.

andnbsp;

Which it obviously has.

andnbsp;

But how do we prove our worth...

andnbsp;

...to mages dead over 1000 years?

andnbsp;

- What is this? Explain.
- I'm summoning a magmin.

andnbsp;

For what purpose?

andnbsp;

Well, the Turanians drew their power
from the elemental forces of nature.

andnbsp;

I thought perhaps a creature
born of fire and earth...

andnbsp;

...might provide insight into their lore.

andnbsp;

A magmin is of moderate intelligence
at best.

andnbsp;

What knowledge do you hope to gain?

andnbsp;

Perhaps such a small creature will be the
first step in unraveling the bigger mystery.

andnbsp;

Continue, but be careful,
for you look unwell...

andnbsp;

...and magmin are as wild and dangerous
as the forces that birth them.

andnbsp;

Burn!

andnbsp;

Protect the Libram!

andnbsp;

He'll set fire to it!

andnbsp;

Lord Oberon, this news would be
better served coming from you.

andnbsp;

Yes, yes, I see. Thank you.

andnbsp;

You're dying.

andnbsp;

Your body is decaying
from the outside in.

andnbsp;

When the corruption reaches
your brain you will die...

andnbsp;

...and then be reborn as one
of the undead.

andnbsp;

Like Damodar.

andnbsp;

I think Damodar penetrated
my vision spell.

andnbsp;

Is it possible he infected me
with the same curse that afflicts him?

andnbsp;

He will need a part of you
to maintain the curse.

andnbsp;

My hair. My hair.

andnbsp;

Somehow he took some of my hair.
How can this be?

andnbsp;

Perhaps the orb gave him
such vulgar power.

andnbsp;

How long do I have?

andnbsp;

I cannot say...

andnbsp;

...but the strain of spell-casting
will hasten the end.

andnbsp;

Melora...

andnbsp;

...if I've been hard on you
over the years...

andnbsp;

...it's only because I saw in you
the potential...

andnbsp;

...to be a great mage.

andnbsp;

I'm truly sorry.

andnbsp;

Heart Shorn Wood.

andnbsp;

Must we travel through
this corrupted place?

andnbsp;

It is the shortest way
to the Mudwash River.

andnbsp;

From there we can sail
to the goblin village of Kurtl.

andnbsp;

- Going around would take too long.
- Can't you just teleport us there?

andnbsp;

As I have never been to Kurtl,
I have nothing to visualize.

andnbsp;

I might teleport us 100 leagues
in the wrong direction.

andnbsp;

What are your thoughts, Nim?

andnbsp;

I think never before have I heard
such blubbering.

andnbsp;

- Some champions.
- The rogue is right.

andnbsp;

Berek, lead on. We trust you.

andnbsp;

Blessed are the works in nature
that provide for those in need.

andnbsp;

Nim, surely there is something
you can be doing to help.

andnbsp;

What do you think the goblins of Kurtl
know of Malek anyway?

andnbsp;

The goblins worship
the demon, Juiblex.

andnbsp;

Together they helped Malek
build the pool of sight.

andnbsp;

You don't say?

andnbsp;

Malek used the pool to find virgins
on the eve of their weddings.

andnbsp;

He would teleport into their chambers
and steal them to his vault.

andnbsp;

There he would sacrifice them
to the demon lord.

andnbsp;

- Then you know how Malek died.
- About 100 years ago...

andnbsp;

...Malek got caught.
Hung, drawn and quartered.

andnbsp;

Pieces of his body were dipped in acid.

andnbsp;

Body dipped in acid, yes, yes,
we've all heard that one before.

andnbsp;

Do you want to know
what really happened?

andnbsp;

- Speak your mind, rogue.
- As a cruel joke...

andnbsp;

...Juiblex created a flaw
within the pool of sight.

andnbsp;

Unbeknownst to Malek,
every time he used it...

andnbsp;

...there was a chance
he'd get an imperfect vision.

andnbsp;

About 100 years ago...

andnbsp;

...Malek teleported himself
into a brick wall.

andnbsp;

Why don't you go
and give Lux a hand?

andnbsp;

Sure thing.

andnbsp;

Berek, help me! I'm hurt!

andnbsp;

Dorian?

andnbsp;

Oh, great Obadhai, it hurts.

andnbsp;

Lux! Nim! It's Dorian!

andnbsp;

Help me, Berek!

andnbsp;

Berek, Berek, I'm hurt.

andnbsp;

Help me, Berek.

andnbsp;

Dorian, how did this happen?

andnbsp;

How do you think it happened?
This damn tree fell on me.

andnbsp;

Come on, get it off me.

andnbsp;

You transgress into the necropolis
of Klaxx the Malign.

andnbsp;

Most recently, I have been
experimenting with a spell...

andnbsp;

...to disintegrate one limb at a time.

andnbsp;

Let me show you how far
I have progressed.

andnbsp;

Flee! The Lich is too powerful!

andnbsp;

Kill them all. Drain their lives.

andnbsp;

Back to the raft. Now!

andnbsp;

Dorian, the specters.

andnbsp;

Banish them.

andnbsp;

In the name of Obadhai,
I banish you unholy abominations.

andnbsp;

You should have known better, Berek.

andnbsp;

You seem to have left yours
in the Lich.

andnbsp;

I want it back. When this is over.

andnbsp;

Want some?

andnbsp;

What troubles you, Berek?

andnbsp;

I blundered into that trap like a farm boy
on his first campaign.

andnbsp;

Fool.

andnbsp;

You punish yourself unnecessarily.

andnbsp;

Going off alone to save
a comrade is a brave deed.

andnbsp;

Brave? I nearly got us all killed.

andnbsp;

But you didn't.

andnbsp;

Obadhai's benevolence saw to it.

andnbsp;

We got lucky, and there's too much
at stake to rely on luck.

andnbsp;

Berek...

andnbsp;

...there's a weapon for good
other than magic and steel.

andnbsp;

What is it then?

andnbsp;

That's something you'll have to discover
for yourself.

andnbsp;

But when you've found it,
you'll know what it is.

andnbsp;

There's a vital element in the Turanian
magic that we fail to understand.

andnbsp;

We're lacking something.

andnbsp;

Melora.

andnbsp;

I can still help.

andnbsp;

Then give me your hand.

andnbsp;

Your heart still beats.

andnbsp;

But understand that at the first sign
of your conversion to the undead...

andnbsp;

...I will incinerate you.

andnbsp;

The forces of evil hear
the call of the orb.

andnbsp;

They wait to pick
the rotting dead carcass of Ismir.

andnbsp;

Good times.

andnbsp;

Indeed.

andnbsp;

Stay.

andnbsp;

Beware, Lich. I have the powers
of the orb at my disposal.

andnbsp;

The full strength of the orb
is beyond your mastery.

andnbsp;

You wield but only a fraction
of its might.

andnbsp;

Enough to fry your rotten bones...

andnbsp;

...and send you back to whatever
foul pit you crawled out from.

andnbsp;

Perhaps, but you misunderstand
my intentions.

andnbsp;

I am on a mission of goodwill.

andnbsp;

Lord Damodar, is it your ambition
to reunite Falazure with the orb...

andnbsp;

...thus unleashing his evil
onto the world?

andnbsp;

You may count on it.

andnbsp;

I would be dismayed...

andnbsp;

...if the spread of misery across the land
occurred without my contribution.

andnbsp;

A Lich has loyalty to none
but itself.

andnbsp;

Lord Damodar, a quest
has set out from Ismir.

andnbsp;

Five champions sail towards
the goblins of Kurtl.

andnbsp;

Five champions, you say?

andnbsp;

More like five field mice...

andnbsp;

...unaware the hawk's shadow
has fallen on their backs.

andnbsp;

Let them think in their ignorance...

andnbsp;

...that Ismir still has hope.

andnbsp;

It'll make it all the sweeter
when they are torn to pieces.

andnbsp;

The goblins? Where are they?
It's a massacre.

andnbsp;

Who could have done this?

andnbsp;

Not who, but what.

andnbsp;

How will we ever find
the pool of sight now?

andnbsp;

This looks like the shaman's hut.

andnbsp;

If there is any clues to Malek's vault,
they'll be in here.

andnbsp;

Ormaline, see if there's any magic.

andnbsp;

What kind of ring is it?

andnbsp;

I need time and study
to determine its function.

andnbsp;

Smite.

andnbsp;

There's a secret door beneath the bed.

andnbsp;

Your wit should be as fast
as your hands. It's a trap.

andnbsp;

Stand back, all of you.

andnbsp;

I want you all to see
what would have happened...

andnbsp;

...if I wasn't here.

andnbsp;

Go ahead.

andnbsp;

You saved my life.

andnbsp;

- I am in your debt.
- No, you're not.

andnbsp;

Nobody's ever given me
anything before...

andnbsp;

...so that makes us even.

andnbsp;

Stomach acid of a purple worm.
Eat through anything.

andnbsp;

The map to Malek's vault.

andnbsp;

Damodar will never know what hit him.

andnbsp;

It's an ambush. Everybody, out!

andnbsp;

Scatter!

andnbsp;

Dorian!

andnbsp;

Ormaline, when I give a signal,
cast a lightning bolt. Nim, use that acid.

andnbsp;

Damn you!

andnbsp;

Die!

andnbsp;

Ormaline, now.

andnbsp;

There, the tears of the earth are dried.

andnbsp;

There, the hidden things are clear.

andnbsp;

There, the works of life are tried...

andnbsp;

...by a justerjudge than here.

andnbsp;

If any of you wish to depart this quest,
the time is now.

andnbsp;

There will be no turning back
once we enter Malek's vault.

andnbsp;

So you will continue on?

andnbsp;

Alone, if need be.

andnbsp;

There are friends and families
to protect...

andnbsp;

...and there is no dishonor
in choosing them over Ismir.

andnbsp;

Well...

andnbsp;

...I've no friends, no family...

andnbsp;

...and I would like to repay Damodar
for this treachery.

andnbsp;

I, too, will join you.

andnbsp;

I'm with you to the end.

andnbsp;

Our duty is to Ismir.

andnbsp;

The orb comes first.

andnbsp;

Dorian would have wanted it that way.

andnbsp;

But if there's a chance to kill Damodar
in the process...

andnbsp;

...then by all means,
let's gut the bastard.

andnbsp;

Lord Oberon?

andnbsp;

Sir, look.

andnbsp;

These runes start on page 892...

andnbsp;

...and end on page 894.

andnbsp;

Page 893 is missing.

andnbsp;

- Has it been torn out?
- No.

andnbsp;

Look...

andnbsp;

...892 is on one side...

andnbsp;

...894 on the other.

andnbsp;

Either 893 never existed...

andnbsp;

...or it has been concealed.

andnbsp;

What do the runes say?

andnbsp;

They say fire reveals all.

andnbsp;

Is it your belief that setting fire
to the Libram...

andnbsp;

...will reveal page 893?

andnbsp;

This is what the magmin
was trying to show us.

andnbsp;

- We can't burn the Libram.
We need proof...

andnbsp;

...before we can proceed
with such a drastic measure.

andnbsp;

Lord Oberon, she is part undead.

andnbsp;

This idea might originate...

andnbsp;

...from the evil
that corrupts her body.

andnbsp;

Melora...

andnbsp;

...test your heart.

andnbsp;

Does this belief come from what you are
or what you are becoming?

andnbsp;

My heart...

andnbsp;

My heart tells me that this
is a test of our belief.

andnbsp;

The Turanian lore
remains closed to us...

andnbsp;

...because we have yet
to show our faith in it.

andnbsp;

We must prove ourselves
worthy of this power.

andnbsp;

No!

andnbsp;

Burn it? No!

andnbsp;

Look, acorns and oak leaves.

andnbsp;

Melora...

andnbsp;

...raise your head.

andnbsp;

Follow it!

andnbsp;

Fire...

andnbsp;

...wind...

andnbsp;

...water, earth.

andnbsp;

The four elements.

andnbsp;

Steady.

andnbsp;

Well done, Melora.

andnbsp;

Well done.

andnbsp;

The map says it's supposed to be
in this hollow.

andnbsp;

Everyone, over here.

andnbsp;

Take a look at this.

andnbsp;

A gem of true seeing.
I never knew you had such a treasure.

andnbsp;

- I come prepared for everything.
- Well done, Nim.

andnbsp;

"To all trespassers...

andnbsp;

...if you wish to join the others in death,
insert your name below...

andnbsp;

...and I will notify your kin.

andnbsp;

Malek. "

andnbsp;

It appears Malek was not without
a sense of humor.

andnbsp;

Yes, but how do we get in?

andnbsp;

This is not good.

andnbsp;

Be on the lookout.

andnbsp;

Berek, remember the Shrine of Kuo-Toa?

andnbsp;

Yes, this is a puzzle lock.

andnbsp;

If we can spell out
the right password-

andnbsp;

Bandits!

andnbsp;

Lux, Ormaline, hold them off.

andnbsp;

This must be more
of Damodar's treachery.

andnbsp;

There must be something
contained in the text.

andnbsp;

Maybe a name.

andnbsp;

Did Malek have a wife or children?

andnbsp;

Wait, how do you spell Malek's name?

andnbsp;

M- A-L-E-K.

andnbsp;

Here it's spelled with an X.

andnbsp;

- The password contains an X. Why?
- X.

andnbsp;

Nim, the demon who built
the pool of sight?

andnbsp;

Juiblex.

andnbsp;

Berek, hurry!

andnbsp;

Lux! Ormaline! We got it!

andnbsp;

Lux!

andnbsp;

Barbarian, get ahold of yourself.

andnbsp;

Smite!

andnbsp;

Your Majesty...

andnbsp;

...I mobilized the cavalry
as soon as we got your message.

andnbsp;

The bulk of our legions will arrive
on tomorrow's eve at the earliest.

andnbsp;

Valerious, tonight
is the dark of the moon.

andnbsp;

- We will have to hold until then.
- Any word of Berek on your travels?

andnbsp;

Do not put your faith in him,
Your Majesty.

andnbsp;

Any hope of saving Ismir
will come from the king's guard...

andnbsp;

...and the strength of our steel.

andnbsp;

I think Melora has stumbled
upon the essence of the Turanian lore.

andnbsp;

It's altogether...

andnbsp;

...a new kind of magic.
Something we've never seen before.

andnbsp;

Could be powerful.

andnbsp;

Yes, the girl's daring is invigorating me.
It gives us all hope.