Chapter Summaries

Soren killed the Adult Red Dragon and survived its burning blood long enough to complete a second Dragon Blood Baptism, gaining stronger defenses and fire resistance. Though badly burned, he stood with an imposing presence that made Goria feel safe.

• Soren waited for an opening and stabbed the Red Dragon through its eye, but it survived the strike.
• Soren slashed the Red Dragon's neck with the Gith Silver Sword +3, weakening it until it collapsed.
• Soren activated Sword Momentum: Decapitation and killed the Adult Red Dragon, gaining nearly 120,000 Slaughter Experience.
• Red Dragon Blood ignited Soren and steadily drained his Hit Points, so he used Icetail to extinguish the flames.
• Soren's second Dragon Blood Baptism succeeded, granting him Natural Armor +1, Fortitude +2, and Fire Resistance +10.
• Soren stood badly burned, and Goria felt safe in the presence of his powerful aura.

Soren recognized that the Eye of the North had been silently preparing an Epic Spell and rushed to protect Goria. She completed Cometfall and returned the surviving Witches to the Material Plane as the comet obliterated the Githyanki fortress and devastated the Demiplane.

• Soren used Gaze of Fear to drive back the Githyanki, revealing the pressure of his Divinity.
• The Eye of the North told Goria to protect her while she finished casting a powerful spell in silence.
• Soren realized the Eye of the North was preparing an Epic Spell and rushed toward Goria as the Demiplane began to tremble.
• The Eye of the North completed Cometfall, transformed the surviving Witches into soul form, and sent them back to the Material Plane.
• A massive comet struck the Demiplane, destroying the Githyanki fortress and unleashing devastation across the plane.

Soren returned from the Astral Plane after Cometfall devastated the Githyanki fortress, and the power from his Dragon Blood Baptism began taking effect in his body. A mysterious shadow took control of the surviving Queen Gith and considered infiltrating the Northern Witches Council, while the Eye of the North ordered Goria to bring Soren over for a reward.

• Cometfall destroyed the Githyanki military fortress and nearly wiped out the tribe, while the Demiplane began repairing the rift in its laws.
• A pitch-black shadow entered the Demiplane, found the surviving Queen Gith, and placed her under Spell Control.
• The shadow examined the Demiplane's connection to North on the Material Plane and decided to investigate by assuming an Avatar.
• Soren returned to Goria's Wizard Tower, where the Red Dragon power from his incomplete Dragon Blood Baptism surged through his body.
• The Eye of the North appeared on the Astrology Platform and told Goria to bring Soren over so his actions could be rewarded.

Soren accompanied Goria to a gathering of the Northern Witches Council, where the Eye of the North revealed that the Githyanki had attacked to seize an Artifact fragment. The fragment’s secrets included self-repairing, shape-changing silver metal, and the Eye of the North asked Soren and Goria to remain after dismissing the other Witches.

• Soren inferred that the Eye of the North held significant authority over Goria and the Northern Witches Council, making her favor valuable to him.
• Goria brought Soren through a Portal to a gathering of the Northern Witches Council, where the Eye of the North explained that the Githyanki had attacked for an Artifact fragment.
• The Eye of the North revealed that the fragment had been kept by the council for about 150 years and that its largest pieces were held by the council and Wizard City.
• The Eye of the North demonstrated that the fragment’s silver metal could change shape, repair itself, and form objects such as swords, gauntlets, and a miniature Steel Golem.
• The Eye of the North described the council’s incomplete research into the Artifact’s metal and residual Divine power, then invited interested Witches to study the first project.
• The Eye of the North dismissed the other Witches and asked Goria and Soren to stay so she could speak with them.

After helping the Northern Witches defeat the Red Dragon, Soren received a reward from the Eye of the North and chose the Boots of Speed. The Eye of the North revealed that Soren was beyond Destiny and warned him that a dreadful event was approaching.

• The Eye of the North thanked Soren for slaying the Red Dragon and offered him a choice of rewards, including the Red Dragon Soul.
• Soren rejected the Red Dragon Soul and chose the Boots of Speed from the three Legendary items.
• The Eye of the North sent Goria to retrieve the boots, then told Soren that he was beyond Destiny and compared him to someone whose coin landed on its edge.
• The Eye of the North warned Soren that the Gods' stars had dimmed and urged him to make the right choice.
• Goria returned with the Tier 2 Legendary Boots of Speed, and Soren left with them.

Goria’s feelings for Soren deepened as she remembered his courage and the risks he had taken for her, and his decision to accompany her to the Astral Plane made those feelings surge. Back in Goria’s Wizard Tower, Soren realized he had been placed in her bedroom and began feeling strangely hot as a Steel Golem came to escort him to a bath.

• The Eye of the North praised Soren for supporting Goria through his actions, and Goria blushed as she considered how her feelings for him had grown.
• Goria recalled Soren risking his life against the followers of the God of Hunt to help them escape and remembered how deeply that act had affected her.
• Goria’s accumulated affection erupted when Soren chose to accompany her to the Astral Plane, even though he was not doing it for Vivian.
• Soren returned to Goria’s Wizard Tower and found himself in a lavish room that appeared to be her bedroom.
• Soren opened the wardrobe and saw Goria’s nightwear and witch robes before a Steel Golem arrived to take him to bathe.
• Soren felt unusually hot and sweaty, wondering whether the Dragon Blood Baptism was causing the sensation.

Soren bathed in Goria’s Elemental Pool and gained the Faint Spell Resistance Feat. He returned to Goria, and the two became intimate, leaving their relationship at a new stage.

• Soren entered Goria’s private chamber and discovered an Elemental Pool in her bath.
• Soren bathed in the pool and received the Faint Spell Resistance Feat, along with faint Magical Beast traits.
• Soren returned to his room and found Goria reading on the bed.
• Soren gradually drew Goria close, and they kissed and became intimate.
• Goria embraced Soren as they shared their first sexual encounter.

Soren woke at Goria’s Wizard Tower after spending the night with her, then joined her in the Laboratory as she worked on an experiment. They shared a brief intimate moment before Goria sent him away to finish her project ahead of their trip to the Overseas Islands.

• Soren woke near noon, put on the comfortable clothes Goria had prepared, and ate breakfast delivered by a Clay Golem.
• Soren went to the Laboratory, where Goria was studying a piece of silvery-white metal.
• Soren and Goria embraced and kissed, and Goria admitted she had used a Grease spell the previous night.
• Goria declined to continue their intimacy because she was still sore, then sent Soren away so she could resume her experiment before they left for the Overseas Islands.

Soren prepared to trade with the Witches' Council in the North, seeking equipment and resources for the coming Time of Troubles. He hired Saruman to produce fertilizer for the Overseas Islands and planned a large purchase of weapons for his elite troops.

• Soren learned that Deepwater Harbor had refused his fleet permission to dock, so he ordered it to anchor offshore and send the first shipment back.
• Soren met Saruman, a financially strained Wizard with Alchemy skills, and offered him a three-year job producing fertilizer for twelve thousand Gold Dalers per year.
• Saruman accepted the contract to work for Soren in the Overseas Islands, and Soren arranged to leave with him in three days.
• Soren planned to seek the Witches' Council's approval to buy more than one hundred thousand Gold Dalers' worth of Tier 1 Supernatural Weapons for five hundred elite soldiers.

Soren secured the Witches' Council's approval to buy a large shipment of enchanted weapons for his pirates, while Goria continued studying the Gith Silver Sword. After Goria finished her research and they prepared to return to the Overseas Islands, Soren learned that a neighboring southern kingdom had fallen into rebellion and that Devils might be involved.

• Soren supported Goria's research into the Githyanki's Memory Transforming Metal and considered ways to make the Gith Silver Sword transform without Psionics.
• The Witches' Council approved Soren's arms purchase, and a Tier 3 Wizard delivered the weapons under guard.
• Soren inspected the enchanted swords and tested one against an ordinary blade before paying for the shipment.
• Soren stayed in the North for five more days while Goria completed her research on the Gith Silver Sword, then they prepared to return to the Overseas Islands.
• Soren learned that Duke Piderno had rebelled against a southern king and that the Witches' Council had found signs of Devils operating behind the scenes.

Soren returned to Port Tyler with Goria, and the news that he had established trade with the Witches' Council unsettled the pirates and local powers. The Naga Priestess welcomed Goria to build ties with the Council, while Goria's public show of affection made Soren the center of attention and signaled their alliance.

• Soren stopped at Shipwreck Port before returning to Port Tyler and decided to wait and see whether the southern rebellion could survive before investing in it.
• Soren's return and his trade agreement with the Witches' Council quieted restless thoughts among his people and alarmed others who learned of the alliance.
• Soren arrived in Port Tyler with Goria and presented himself beside her as a confident lord returning to his domain.
• The Naga Priestess welcomed Goria deferentially, overlooking Soren and surprising him with the difference in their treatment.
• Goria linked her arm with Soren's, making him the focus of the gathering and prompting the Naga Priestess to offer them lodging as she sought ties with the Witches' Council.

After recruiting Goria, Soren returned to the Overseas Islands with a large fleet and more than eight hundred people, while his enemies began seeking allies against him. He arrived to find the camp’s construction underway and was joyfully greeted by Vivian.

• The Naga Priestess plotted to spread news of Goria to provoke Asroder into attacking Soren, while ordering the Deep Sea Hunter to watch the Naga Royal Family.
• Asroder learned that Soren had recruited a high-ranking Witch and decided to write to the Red Dragon Duchess to seek an alliance.
• Soren sailed back to the Overseas Islands with twelve ships and more than eight hundred people, studying spells under Goria during the voyage.
• Soren received a delayed combat record for fighting the Githyanki at the North Tower, earning three points of Legendary Degree.
• Soren returned to find a lighthouse, dock, and paved road built at the camp, where Vivian ran to welcome him.

Soren reunited with Vivian and Goria, then showed how much his camp had grown into a clean, orderly settlement with defenses, workers, and disciplined Drow guards. Goria was astonished by how quickly Soren had built it and wondered what kind of city he would create in the Overseas Islands.

• Soren reunited with Vivian, who hugged him and then greeted Goria affectionately.
• Vivian sniffed Goria and teased her about smelling like Soren, prompting Goria to smack her and hurry away in embarrassment.
• Vivian proudly guided Goria around the camp and described the roads, fences, and towers she had helped build.
• Goria met the Drow guards at the gate and recognized that they were likely Half-Drow with Albino Drow blood.
• Goria saw the camp's orderly streets, houses, businesses, patrols, and expanding farmland, and was astonished by Soren's rapid progress.

Soren returned to the camp and found Adele-Isabella sidelined as Kasa’s influence grew after his successful work. Soren stripped Adele of her camp duties but gave her a chance to regain standing through Drow training and a difficult future assignment, leaving her determined to surpass Kasa.

• Soren noticed that Kasa’s growing authority had split the pirate leaders into factions and left Adele-Isabella isolated.
• Kasa reported scouts from another tribe, nearby Wyverns that had carried off three Slaves, and a Dark Tide Merfolk tribe near the harbor.
• Soren praised Kasa’s work, ordered him to inventory the goods and Slaves, and took command of the fleet himself.
• Adele-Isabella admitted she had failed to contact the Alchemy Guild, and Soren removed her from camp affairs.
• Soren told Adele-Isabella he would send her for Drow Warrior training and later give her a difficult task involving nobles and Church members.
• Adele-Isabella accepted the opportunity and resolved not to let Kasa surpass her.

Soren reviewed his camp’s security and learned that the Drow had secretly contacted their clan, while Saruman explored the jungle and discovered a magical Mutated Man-Eating Flower. Goria used a Spell to help Lulumiao begin speaking, leaving her to learn gradually.

• Soren questioned his Rogue informant about the Drow, learned they had secretly sent things to their clan, and ordered his agents to remain hidden.
• Saruman settled into his Laboratory, then ignored a Drow Ranger’s warning and entered the jungle to investigate its dangerous plants.
• Saruman subdued a Mutated Man-Eating Flower with yellow powder, collected liquid and seeds from it, and left with his samples.
• Vivian introduced Goria to the Catgirl Lulumiao, who could only speak in meows.
• Goria cast a Spell on Lulumiao that helped her say a few words, then explained that she would need to learn to speak gradually.

Vivian introduced Lulumiao’s remarkable acrobatic abilities to Soren and Goria, who recognized the young catgirl’s exceptional natural talent. The chapter ended with Vivian saying she still wanted to train Lulumiao to be a maid who could catch plates.

• Lulumiao hid behind Vivian when Soren entered, frightened by the bloody aura she sensed from him.
• Vivian encouraged Lulumiao to perform somersaults, and the catgirl showed extraordinary agility by flipping across the room and clinging to the walls.
• Soren identified Lulumiao’s natural Superhuman Dexterity, while Goria noted that she had not yet reached adulthood and could have immense potential.
• Vivian told Soren she had trained Lulumiao with grilled fish and was pleased to show off her talent.
• Soren praised Lulumiao and offered to teach her more when she was older, but Vivian said she wanted to train her as a maid who could catch plates.

A three-day storm exposed weaknesses in Soren’s camp, and he began repairs while continuing its development with Goria and his followers. When two Wyverns attacked the fields and carried off native slaves, Soren pursued them through the air to retaliate.

• A three-day storm flooded parts of Soren’s camp and damaged roads and houses, so he ordered repairs once the skies cleared.
• Soren and Goria discussed the cost of using a Deity’s power to alter the weather and agreed to endure the climate for now.
• Soren continued training and developing the camp while Goria researched the Shadow Plane, and some Drow considered moving their tribe there despite opposition from female Drow.
• Soren’s slaves reclaimed wasteland for future farming while construction continued and Saruman studied how to make fertilizer from Guano.
• Two Wyverns swooped down on the fields, killed two native slaves, and carried them away.
• Soren shot at the Wyverns with an Elven War Bow, then cast Fly and pursued them with another arrow aimed at their bellies.

Soren used a bow while flying to bring down one Wyvern and drive another away, then ordered the nearby monsters cleared and planned to deal with the Wyvern nest. As his camp celebrated the kill, Dark Blade Andri warned the Drow to stop underestimating Soren and provoking him.

• Soren shot a Wyvern three times while flying, triggering its Death Saving Throw and forcing it to fall, then gained partial information on the Precise Shot, Moving Shot, and Flying Shot Feats.
• Soren wounded the second Wyvern, but it fled beyond the reach of his arrows, and he landed to finish off the fallen Wyvern.
• Soren ordered his subordinates to carry the Wyvern back and said he would deal with the remaining Wyverns and nearby monsters in a few days.
• Soren told Goria to focus on stabilizing a Portal to the Shadow Plane, while pirates and Slaves celebrated the Wyvern kill at camp.
• Dark Blade Andri told a Drow Ranger to send a warning, cautioning the Drow females not to provoke Soren as his power grew.

Soren trained with Goria in Combat Casting, and their sparring led to a mutual confession of love. Meanwhile, the Vampire God Child faced a force sent to capture him, and Hell Poet arrived to join the confrontation.

• Goria attacked Soren during Combat Casting practice, using taunts to disrupt his concentration and spellcasting.
• Goria explained that mastering Combat Casting required resisting both physical attacks and verbal provocation, and Soren carried her to their room.
• Soren and Goria became intimate, confessed their love, and shared a tender moment.
• At Okdo Valley, a Black-robed Priest led armed Warriors and Priests to confront the Vampire God Child over stolen Divine Power.
• The Vampire God Child summoned Vampire Servants, but Hell Poet appeared and offered to join the fight, startling the Black-robed Priest.

Soren paused his plans to hunt the Wyverns when a priestess of Lady of Fortune arrived at his harbor, bringing the Church of Fortune’s goodwill and heavily armed Temple Guards. Meanwhile, the Red Dragon Duchess rejected Asroder’s proposed alliance and demanded that the Naga Royal Family send an envoy.

• Soren continued training Combat Casting with Goria, then gathered Elite Pirates and distributed Heavy Javelins to prepare to clear out the Wyverns.
• A ship bearing the Goddess of Wealth’s Crest arrived at Soren’s harbor, prompting him to set aside the Wyvern hunt and greet its visitors.
• A wealthy priestess told Soren that Lady of Fortune had sent goodwill, while her Temple Guards’ Adamantine-mixed weapons revealed their formidable strength.
• The Red Dragon Duchess dismissed Asroder as a Naga-backed puppet and refused an alliance unless the Naga Royal Family sent an envoy.