When asked to recount his experiences, Terrastal told a breathless tale of an encounter with an ageless goddess, Idrima, who had allied with men in the Dawn Age to fight against Chaos. Over time, worship of Idrima had been forgotten and she had entered an ageless sleep, dreaming of past glory. Roused from her slumber by a resurgence of Chaos throughout creation, Idrima had reached out and called many men and women to her service, enthralling them with her magic. One of those she had called to proved to be Danakos, the Grey Dog criminal who had killed their Clansfolk and stolen their cattle. Seeing a chance of power, Danakos had led Idrima to believe that the tribes of the Vale had already fallen to Chaos and that she was surrounded by enemies. Uninterested as she is in the brief lives of men, and still waking from her long slumber, Danakos had been able to mislead her and use a portion of her power for his own ends.
Having penetrated the ruins, Terrastal and Finmast had first been attacked then enthralled by one of Idrima's spirit projections. Now feeling a fierce and unreasoning loyalty to Idrima, the two had entered the ruined shrine of Idrima and begun to commune with her using Finmast's Mindspeech spell. Danakos chose this moment to show himself, and seeing them as mere thralls rather then heroes in the making, began to rant about how they would help him achieve his dreams of power. Through this communion, Terrastal and Finmast had shown the waking goddess the truth of the humans of Dragon Pass; they could be cruel, vain and destructive like Danakos, but they also followed the ways of Orlanth and were not creatures of Chaos. Realising that Idrima craved worship above all, Terrastal and Finmast made a binding pact with the goddess, promising to reignite worship of Idrima within their Clan and Tribe. Seeing that he was to be displaced and his power threatened, Danakos drew his axe and attacked the pair. However, they were able to overcome him, almost severing his body in two such was their anger at his crimes.
Removing Danakos' head, Finmast and Terrastal set off to find their comrades but became separated in the continuing storm and ruined landscape. When Terrastal happened upon Yrsa and Randel and recounted his experience, he insisted that the pair should accompany him and witness the power of Idrima. Yrsa was easily swayed by Terrastal's word but Randel was less enthusiastic; he knew that not all those entities professing divinity proved to be so.
Entering Idrima's shrine, the three companions were able to commune with the goddess without being enthralled. Randel felt sure that Idrima was in fact a lost earth goddess, and said that news of this discovery should be taken back to the priestesses at the Clearwine Earth Temple. Also, whilst searching the ruins for their companions they encountered many others who had been enthralled by Idrima. She had cast her net wide, with anyone passing nearby being made to see her glory; Grey Dog fyrdmen, Tarshite mercenaries, Lunar hoplites, even a durulz Sword of Humakt and a Dark Troll warrior.
Taking their leave of the ruins and Idrima's defenders, the companions took 35 head of oxen to replace those stolen by Danakos. They decided to return to the Lunar Fort near the Broken tower and claim the 200 oxen they had been promised as a reward for saving the life of Vanthorion, Lunar office and nephew of Andrega Silverflame. Unfortunately, Vanthorion informed them that only 40 were available; an influx of Lunar regiments into the area meant that meat on the hoof was at a premium. Unhappily, the heroes accepted the 40 head and a clay tablet with some scratched marks on it that Vanthorion assured them would guarantee that the 160 remaining would be handed over as promised when they became available.
Eager to reach home and hearth after five days away, the band travelled through the night, reaching their tribal lands as Yelm rose above the mountains. As they approached the bridge over the stream, they were hailed by Alobar, son of King Kangharl and heir to the tribal throne. He informed them that they had been thought dead, and that their return would be a source of celebration (especially with so many cattle!). As they travelled through the tribal lands, they noted that there were large numbers of temporary encampments which became more numerous as they approached Clearwine. On seeing this, they remembered that the Feast of Beasts was due to commence on the morrow and last for a whole week. In the distance and separate from the human visitors, a group of beastfolk could be seen encamped that counted a centaur and at least one minotaur amongst their number.
Wishing to visit the Earth Temple and make a gift of the Lunar cattle, Randel led the way through the great gates of the temple. As the weary travellers were given mead and meat, Randel caught they eye of one young priestess in particular. Eirissa, his childhood sweetheart, quickly looked away as he stared and made great show of pouring wine for Alobar. Yrsa likewise found the young prince an attractive prospect, but her lack of social graces and rough manners meant that he was polite in his responses but nothing more.
After a time the heroes were greeted by Morganeth White-Eye, most favoured priestess of Ernalda of their Clan. On hearing their story, she felt certain that the being calling itself Idrima was indeed an earth goddess, most likely a lost daughter of Maran Gor the Earthshaker. Although they were focussed on celebrating a successful Feast of Beasts first, she was sure that the Circle of Priestesses would send a group to make contact with Idrima and ensure she received proper honour. Before taking her leave, Morganeth place her hands upon Terrastal and Finmast, banishing Idrima's glamour from their minds. But she left with a warning that pacts with deities must not be broken, and can often have unforeseen consequences...
As the adventurers made to leave, Randel felt a hand upon his arm; Eirissa said she was glad he was safe, as the Clan had thought the companions dead. "Do you not have a kind word for me, Randel?" she said, but Randel was overcome by his usual shyness in her presence and said nothing. As they rode towards Clearwine, he cursed his lack of easy charm, and not for the first time.
A hero's welcome awaited them in Clearwine, and they were greeted by a cheering crowd. Yrsa was welcomed by her tearful mother Brena, and Randel was welcomed as a conquering hero by his father Bolthor and mother Arlesta. Terrastal spotted his estranged sister Nerissa who embraced him briefly. With a quiet "I'm glad you're safe", she turned away and disappeared into the crowd.
The adventurers were welcomed formally by the Clan Chief Baranthos with gifts of water, bread and salt. When asked who led the band, Terrastal quickly stepped forward to receive the Chief's greeting on behalf of the whole band! A feast was declared, with the heroes as guests of honour. However, as they entered the Chief's feasting hall they noted two strangers; the Lunar Sorceror Urhi-Teshup, who lost his eye to Terrastal's dagger at Boldhome, and Soshona, the mysterious red-robed figure they met at the Lunar Fort!
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