Story: A Gift From a Friend
When Drizzt and the Ministry of Heroes discovered plans for an assault on the Halfling Kingdoms coming from the Dwarven Mithril Mines, with further plans to continue to the Southern Kingdoms of the Elves, they wasted no time making haste back to Effrendell. Upon arrival, they gave a report to King Eletroth and the Elders. Very soon, a decision was made to send Drizzt and the Heroes from D'nashk Re'at at once by Giant Eagle to the borders of the Halflings so they can make an early assault. They hoped to eliminate some of the evil commanders and disrupt their plans - exactly as they had done in the Drow city of Rhomduil.
So the company of Adventuring Heroes climbed on the backs of Eagles and flew off once again into the sky. On the tenth day of their long journey they were somewhere over the Southern Kingdoms of the Elves and the Eagles unexpectedly began to circle at mid-day to prepare for landing. When Drizzt asked his Eagle why they had not gone all the way to their resting place for the night (for all Elven Kind can talk to Eagles), he was informed that someone who was powerful in the Magic of Nature was calling them out of the sky, and they felt compelled to obey. They were not threatened or concerned, rather, they were intrigued to see who it was.
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They landed in a wide field along the edge of a thick forest. The riders dismounted, stretched, then gathered to wait and see who had called the Eagles. After a short while, a lone figure stepped out of the trees and walked toward them. He was dressed in a simple robe and carried a walking staff.
"Greetings, friends," he said to them as he approached.
"Are you the one who has called us from the sky?" asked Drizzt.
"Yes, it is I" he answered.
"Sir, " continued Drizzt, "while all of us are intrigued, I must insist that you let us continue on our journey, for it is of utmost importance that we arrive at our destination quickly. Many lives are depending on us. ", pleaded Drizzt.
"Yes, I know your journey and your errand, and I know better than you what you are about to face."
At this, the Heroes looked at one another, and one of them asked, "how do you know our errand? We left immediately after receiving it, and I do not know of any messengers that were sent out with this news. Who are you?"
"I am Cur'Raden, from the Southern Kingdom of the Elves, and some call me the Prophet in the Wilderness. And I know your errand, not because of any messenger in this world, but because the Omen of the Most High has revealed it to me."
At this they fell silent.
"You must continue your journey shortly, I assure you, and indeed many lives are at stake. But you do not know the peril you are about to face. Behold, I declare to you that the Drow Wizards have unleashed the Balor Demon in the heart of the Mithril Mines, and it is he you will have to face."
"This is terrible!" cried Drizzt. "How can we stand against the General of the Demon Hoard! We shall perish for sure!"
"Take heart, " said Cur'Raden in a calm voice, "for I have called you here for this very reason. There is a weakness that your enemy has that you must take advantage of. Do so, and you will have victory."
"What is this weakness?"
"The strength of the Balor is not just his size and fury, but also in the flames that come from his body. His heat is so strong, that opponents from the Land of the Living perish when trying to attack him. But these flames can be quenched. "
"How so? " asked one of the Heroes.
"By the Waters of the Elemental. " answered Cur'Raden. "Glean them and carry them in these vessels, " and he untied two clay jars from his belt and handed them over. "When your enemy is at hand, cast the Waters upon him and his flames shall dampen. It is then that you can push him back into the dimension that he came from with normal combat. Rest assured, he will still be quite dangerous, but not invincible. Rise up as one, and the Most High will deliver your enemy into your hands."
"Where can we find a Water Elemental?" asked one of the Heroes.
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"To the south along the coast of the Eslen Ocean lies a series of caves. Recently, a dragon named Shimmergloom - who was the leader of the enemy's forces in the Mithril Mines of the Dwarves until the Balor came - was sent with a group of Duergars and Goblins to convert the caves into a fortress. The intent was to receive military soldiers by sea from the city of Indar in the Southern Kingdoms of Men, so they can support the planned attacks on the Halflings and the Elves. However, construction was delayed when miners uncovered caves occupied by Water Elementals. At this time, Shimmergloom and the Drow are debating whether to tame the Elementals with magic or destroy them."
Then Cur'Raden turned to the Eagles to communicate where to take the Heroes.
"How can we thank you, friend?" asked Drizzt.
"By being faithful and brave, and standing as one until the end!" he answered. "Now go and do not delay, for thy time has come."
So Drizzt and the Ministry of Heroes climbed onto the backs of their Eagles to resume their journey. And when they looked back to see if the Prophet in the Wilderness was still watching, he was gone.