The party fell, leaving the fires of the salamandars' fury burning high above them. Soon, they stopped falling, and more or less found themselves resting in damp darkness. The Mists had deposited them in yet another unknown realm. Unlike before, though, the party could feel the solidity of their forms, but they knew they still walked as ghosts, seperated from their true forms, save for Farid and Ekel. Having just won back his corporeal form, the bard was most unhappy with having it wet again.

A short search revealed the party to be in a dirt cave, with what appeared to be tree roots above them. Digging, they came up out of a wet hole in the earth in what seemed to be a forest clearing. Just as they were pulling themselves up, however, the sound of mournful howling rang through the woods; Leif immediately recognized the baying of shadowwolves, and urged the party forward. As they made haste through the forest, dark shapes began to stalk them from all sides, keeping pace with their frantic running and closing in. The party stumbled into a clearing just as their pursuers revealed themselves: dark, shadowy wolf creatures, but ones standing on their back legs like men. Leading the pack was a wolfen giant with grey fur and dark eyes, seeming all too similar to Leif's friend Ash for the ranger's comfort. Not wishing to fight the dark reflection of his friend, nor risk anyone to the wolf pack, the party made a run for it.

They broke free of the woods and abruptly emerged onto a stark hill. Atop a nearby hill crouched what looked to be a city in partial ruins. To Leif and Brandon it resembled the city of Tilverton, back home on the edge of Cormyr. The pursuit of the wolf-things had stopped, and in fact the woods they had emerged from were now gone. Instead of the trees of the twisted wood, there was a vast fogbank; from within, a dull green glow could be seen. Suddenly, from within the fog, arrows began to fly, as a host of armored warriors emerged onto the hill. They were dressed as elves, but it was clear from their shambling gait and sunken features that they were undead. A strange green glow hung about them, and burned like hatred in their hollow eyes.

Turning from the undead host, the party ran for the gates of the ruined city. Arrows fell about them as they reached the portal, which they barely manage to maneuver open and get inside before the ghastly elves fell upon them. Inside the ruined and seemingly empty city, they collapsed in exhaustion, and decided to make camp as best they could.

While they rested, they examined the ruins of the city about them. It was clear that the city was - or was a copy of - the city of Tilverton, though manythings were subtley different. Building loomed higher and closer together, streets ran at odd angles, and windows were narrow and dark. To the South, as in Tilverton, several large buildings looked over the site from their perch on a high shelf of rock, which looked even more daunting in this strange place. In fact, the Tilverton of the Nightmare Lands seemed to be situated at the very base of the Necrolith itself, which rose to impossible heights behind. It was clear to all that theie search through the Mists was coming to an end.

Sometime, during that strange night in the ruined city, Farid awoke to find that Leif was gone. He had been acting strange since emerging in the forest, and had spoken of a 'pull' towards the fortress on the upper shelf. Fearing for the ranger, the group split up, seeking him out through the twisted streets of the city, intent on meeting up again at the upper gate. Two of them would never make it.

Brandon took a road which soon led past a familiar spot - the 'Flagon Held High' Tavern. Only in this strange shadow-place, the sign read 'Halfling Hung High'. Undaunted, the small rogue popped his head in for a look, and was surprised to find the tavern was full of rollicking patrons and merrimakers. Wine and ale were flowing freely, and the crowd cheered as Brandon entered. Quickly he was swept up onto their shoulders, and carried around like a hero, much as he had been in the real Tilverton after opening the East Gate during the Battle of Light and Shadow. Soon, the halfling had all of the attention of the comely women in the tavern, much to his enjoyment. The drinking and merriment continued, and soon Brandon forgot all about Leif or their search. He smiled, and lost himself in the caresses of the women around him, and laughed in surprise when their kisses became playful nibbles, and the flirtatious looks in their eyes became looks of hunger...

* * *

Ian followed down a different road, heading towards the upper gate, when suddenly behind him he heard shouts. Turning, he saw a mob of angry townsfolk, bearing torches and curses, about to descend upon him. Ian ran, but the crowd quickly closed in. As a large man towered over him, ready to bring a flaming brand down upon the priest's head, there was a sudden shout behind him. Suddenly the man was impaled on a long trident that had been thrown. Turning, Ian saw the familiar faces of his former adventuring companions coming to his rescue. They fought their way through the crowd, and pulled Ian to safety as the trident-wielding paladin held the mob off. Thankfull for being rescued, and glad at seeing his companions again, Ian fled with them, and sought shelter inside a ruined building. There, as he caught his breath, Ian saw that he was surrounded by coffins, each marked with the name of one of his former companions. There was a single coffin before him, and his own name was inscribed upon it. As the truth hit him, he turned to flee, but the unnaturally strong arms of his former friends held him fast. Knowing that they had suffered this fate because he was unable to protect them in life, Ian relented as the fangs of his companions descended upon him...

* * *

Farid and Ekel searched together, and soon came to the main road leading straight to the upper gate. Climbing the high stairs, they found Leif already there, waiting in an almost trance-like state. He came too as they reached him, and seemed to be confused as to how he had come to be there. Before they could offer an explanation, an armored figure appeared at the top of the stairs. The figure was of average height, and wore an intricate suit of armor which looked to be comprised entirely of bones. In fact, two long whips of bone, dangled from the man's fore-arms, and writhed like macabre snakes. Leif rubbed the bone bracers that were enclosed around his own arms, and wondered at the similarities. If there was any question, it ended when the figure drew forth a black-bladed longsword, and leapt forward into melee.

Leif leapt to meet the figure, and as their black blades clashed, the ground shook - literally. Farid and Ekel were knocked off balance as the courtyard below them broke apart, and began to pitch and heave with the sudden earthquake. Portions of the courtyard were thrust into the air, while others fell away. Still the combat raged, with Leif striking with Darkfire while dodging the strikes from the figure's bone whips. Farid regained his feet, but another shock hit the ground, and he slipped and fell into a gaping crevasse which had opened at his feet. Soon, he was lost to darkness.

Leif fought on, eventually overcoming the bone clad warrior. As their battle ended, so did the earthquake. The ranger looked, but there was no sign of Ekel or Farid, nor of any of his other companions. So the half elf ranger pressed on to the upper shelf, to the gate of the fortress of Tilverton. There, a robed and hooded man waited for him. Without a word, he led Leif inside, where in a dark room a body was laid out on a stone slab. Leif recognized his own face before him.

The robed figure began to speak, challenging the ranger with accusations and telling him that the Mists were there to claim him, as his sins warranted a great evil. Lefi refused, but was soon confronted with the distorted face of his former companion, Auriga, who had died in the Thunder Peaks. Soon, more figures appeared around him, all them wearing the visage of someone who had died in Leif's company, either through his actions or through the act of aiding him. As the ranger stod defiant, the robed man laughed...