Aribeth's Revenge

"Great Phoenix God Benu!

You are the master of every flame in this world!

The protector of souls!

The cycle of life and death, the symbol of immortality!

We offer our devout prayers to you!

We praise your awe-inspiring power!

We long for your favor!

Please descend upon this world!

This is the call of all your faithful!"

As millions of Werewolf Goblins shouted in near-fanatic fervor, a magical fire that had burned for years at the heart of the underground city beneath Athkatla's Wizard's Tower suddenly exploded. It took the form of a phoenix radiating scorching heat and swept overhead before countless watching eyes.

Its golden flames and awe-inspiring majesty left no doubt: this was a true god.

Years of worship had also allowed every Werewolf Goblin to feel their connection to him. One after another, they wept with excitement.

The brutal purges, conditioning, and isolation imposed on them from the beginning had left them ignorant of the Goblin Gods and every other deity. They did not even know whom to pray to so their souls would have a home after death.

All they could do was pray to Phoenix God Benu as instructed, over and over, though he never answered. Day after day, year after year.

Today, their persistence had finally been rewarded.

At last, they had a god of their own. They no longer had to fear what awaited them after death.

This had all been arranged by Raymond. It was a strategy.

Judging by the Overgod Ao's usual conduct in the Crystal Sphere System containing Toril, he would rarely refuse entry to a god with a vast, devoted following on Faerun.

Raymond had therefore forced the Werewolf Goblins to become Benu's followers first, then waited before attempting to bring him into the world.

The strategy