Chapter Summaries

After returning from Baldur’s Gate with three artifacts and a fortune in treasure, Aaron divided the spoils with his companions and faced Aegir’s proposal to become her mate. The chapter ended with Aaron promising Nastya that they would leave Cormyr together and never be apart again.

• Aaron gave Imoen a thousand gold coins to help assemble a party to rescue Abdel, and Imoen promised to bring Dynaheir and Minsc to meet him.
• Aaron, Nastya, Eleanor, and the others displayed the three artifacts and counted their spoils, including 520,000 gold coins’ worth of wealth, while Aegir gleefully claimed her share.
• Astarion delivered most of Cazador’s estate to Aaron, received a sword blessed by Slaanesh, and left to kill his sleeping master.
• Aegir kissed Aaron and proposed that they become mates and have dragon eggs, then brought Kyoka to join the spoils before Nastya explained that Kyoka had to remain with Aaron.
• Aaron told Nastya that she was his greatest gain from the trip and promised they would face the future together and never be apart again.

Aaron tried to recruit Aturo by promising to help it reunite with Yu, then questioned Liu Kang about why Aaron had begun appearing in every timeline. Before leaving Baldur's Gate, Aaron joined Nastya for dinner, only to discover she had invited others to witness their night together.

• Aaron showed Aturo the Forge of a Thousand Forms and promised that his Astral Express project could help it see Yu again, tempting the weakened elemental to consider visiting his territory.
• Liu Kang confronted Aaron about his sudden appearance in every future and warned him to beware Dark Sun Cyric.
• Aaron invited Drizzt to the Salian Multiverse Invitational, and Drizzt signed up as the second contestant after Szass Tam.
• Nastya and Aaron shared dinner and teased each other about taking the Salian surname, before going upstairs together.
• Nastya told Aaron she had called everyone to witness their night, and the approaching footsteps and laughter left Aaron alarmed.

Aaron returned toward Cormyr while handling his allies’ plans and learned that Red Wizards from Thay had stopped his convoy to demand a wild mage named Nera. In Suzail, Alusair responded to nobles’ calls to nationalize Aaron’s company by ordering a royal mobilization to retake Tifanton after the autumn harvest.

• Aaron learned that Dorn and The Monarch planned to investigate an Imaskar artifact, while Imoen gathered Jaheira, Khalid, Dynaheir, and Minsc to rescue Charname.
• Aaron met Boo, gave Dynaheir a spell scroll and Minsc a wand that could enlarge Boo, and checked on his knights and other affairs.
• The Silver Dragon Knight Ramsay told Aaron that Red Wizards from Thay had stopped the convoy and demanded that it surrender Nera, a wild mage.
• Finance minister Fortescue reported that the Silver Trade Company had paid Cormyr about three hundred thousand Golden Lions in taxes the previous year.
• Alusair rejected the nobles’ proposed nationalization of the company’s technology and ordered the kingdom’s army to retake Tifanton after the autumn harvest.

Aaron’s convoy faced Red Wizards from Thay who demanded that he hand over Nera, a fugitive Wild Magic and Cosmic Sorcerer. After Aaron drove them off, he accepted Nera as his apprentice and set his sights on Tifanton to reclaim the Sallyan family’s earldom.

• Red Wizards blocked Aaron’s convoy and demanded that it surrender Nera, whom Charlotte had hidden in her carriage.
• Aaron confronted the Red Wizards, and they withdrew after recognizing him, though their leader threatened to keep pursuing Nera.
• Nera apologized for bringing trouble to the convoy, and Aegir confirmed that she had sincerely sought help.
• Nera asked Aaron to take her as an apprentice, and he agreed to bring her back to Cormyr.
• As the convoy traveled onward, Aaron considered building his own mage corps and chose Tifanton as his next target to reclaim his family’s title of Earl.

Aaron and Eleanor traveled toward Evereska, where they discovered Barrel fighting a fey'ri and yugoloth force. Aaron and the Silver Dragon Knights joined the battle, leaving the fight underway as Barrel attacked the fey'ri.

• News of Aaron's victory over the Great Horned Rat spread across the Realms, while leaders in Waterdeep, Calimshan, Halruaa, and Mithral Hall reacted to his growing renown.
• Keldorn disbanded his paladin expedition in Athkatla, invited Reynard to stay with him, and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting evil as Reynard wondered about his own path.
• Aaron and Eleanor continued toward Evereska after Charlotte, Big Dragon, and Buer departed for their own purposes.
• A powerful explosion led Aaron and Eleanor to find Barrel surrounded by fey'ri mages, yugoloth commanders, and a legion of mezzoloths.
• Aaron arrived in a golden meteor, and the Silver Dragon Knights charged the yugoloth legion as Eleanor attacked its rear.
• Barrel rushed the three fey'ri and prepared Time Stop while Aaron confronted him about Gorion.

Aaron and his allies defeated the Yugoloth legion and captured the Fey'ri Llewyrr, while Barrel explained Gorion’s death and revealed that he had found the War Sword. Barrel then proposed that he and Aaron join forces to help reclaim Myth Drannor, with Barrel aiming to become the future Coronal’s man.

• The Silver Dragon Knights, Eleanor, Samir, and the Golden Law Beast fought the Yugoloths as Aaron used Thousand Illusions to battle the Nycaloth commander.
• Barrel defeated the Fey'ri mages, and the allied forces routed the Yugoloth legion and captured Llewyrr.
• Barrel told Aaron that Gorion had chosen to leave so Abdel would face life and death, then revealed that he had found the War Sword.
• Barrel explained that he could not use the War Sword without earning its recognition and chose to remain in Aaron’s service rather than return to Evermeet.
• Barrel proposed that Aaron support the campaign to reclaim Myth Drannor, explaining that he hoped to become the future Coronal Ilsevele’s man.

Aaron returned to Cormyr and found the kingdom mobilizing for a campaign to reclaim Tifanton, while Barrel hoped to use the War Sword to restore Myth Drannor’s glory. Alusair welcomed Aaron’s return as she struggled to gain support from Cormyr’s two dukes.

• Ramsay reported that Salazar of House Dlardrageth had confessed that Salya sent the Fey’ri after Barrel, with help from Iyachtu Xvim and a portal in Myth Drannor.
• Aaron gathered demonic energy from the Yugoloth corpses while Barrel explained the Three Fiends’ role in the fall of Myth Drannor and vowed to restore Cormanthor for Ilsevele.
• Aaron returned to Cormyr, received Alusair’s order to report to Suzail, and saw signs of a kingdom-wide military mobilization.
• Aaron dismissed the Silver Dragon Knights and entered Suzail with Eleanor, deciding to go home before visiting the Royal Palace.
• Alusair fretted over Duke Gordon Marelli’s and Duke Kenness Irlingstar’s weak support for the Tifanton campaign until she learned Aaron had returned and felt confident he would help her.

Aaron returned to Suzail and learned that Alusair planned a northern campaign to reclaim Tifanton, which she expected him to help plan. After spending the night at the Sallyan Residence, he went to the palace for an audience, where Alusair immediately ordered him to approach her behind the curtains.

• Aaron entered Suzail amid a grand welcome and reflected on the army and resources he would need for his ambitions in Anauroch and Myth Drannor.
• Jim Hack delivered Alusair's decree ordering a campaign to reclaim Tifanton after the harvest and requesting Aaron's military advice and participation.
• Ian Hutson urged Aaron to support the campaign as a necessary display of Cormyr's strength, and Aaron returned home with Eleanor through an Arcane Gate.
• Aaron reunited with Aunt Mellie, Uncle Lothair, and Yuta at the Sallyan Residence, then prepared for his audience with Alusair.
• Eleanor returned to the Sunset Lands to oversee the Church of Selûne, while Aaron spent the evening with her at the residence.
• At the palace, Alusair summoned Aaron to an immediate audience and ordered him to come to her behind the golden curtains.

After returning from Baldur’s Gate, Aaron pledged the Sunset Lands’ forces to Alusair’s campaign to retake Tifanton and helped her plan around the nobles who would not fully support her. Alusair then visited the Salian residence and decided to stay the night, while Aaron prepared to return to his lands to mobilize for the October campaign.

• After spending the afternoon with Alusair, Aaron promised to mobilize the Sunset Lands and join her attack on Tifanton.
• Alusair explained that most nobles opposed her and warned that they would try to curb Aaron’s growing power.
• Aaron proposed that his army, Laeral’s army, and the royal troops retake Tifanton without relying on the other nobles.
• Aaron told Alusair he would rest for one day and return to the Sunset Lands to prepare for the October campaign.
• Alusair accompanied Aaron to the Sallyan Residence and admired the Salian family tree, where Aaron explained that he wanted to begin a new future for the family.
• Alusair decided to stay the night at Aaron’s home, while considering that their future children could inherit the Salian title.

Charlotte brought Nera to the Sunset Lands, where the young Sorcerer saw its thriving community and met its guardian Dragon, Aegir. Aaron returned to the Round Table Hall and planted the Golden Tree Seed, beginning to use the Great Horned Rat’s divine power and soul as the foundation for his ascension as the Lord of Reincarnation.

• Isobel oversaw affairs in the Sunset Lands as Moonrise Towers refugees settled into the community with help from Robert and the local faithful.
• Charlotte arrived at Silvermoon Harbor with Nera and offered to take her to the Round Table Hall and the Chaos Expedition.
• Nera saw the Snow Elves and the bustling Sunset Lands, then trembled when Aegir flew over the city before Charlotte explained who he was.
• Aaron returned alone to the Round Table Hall with the Forge of a Thousand Forms and the Golden Tree Seed, intending to use them to create Chaos Warriors and stronger beings.
• Aaron planted the seed beside the Round Table Hall, and the Golden Tree grew as its roots drained the Great Horned Rat’s divine power and processed his soul through the Golden Law Ring.

Aaron prepared the Ninth Shepherd Legion for war against Tifanton, offering land and titles as rewards for military merit. Three months later, the legion marched out in formidable armor alongside Snow Elves and Half-Griffon riders, leaving rival spies alarmed by its strength.

• The Golden Sacred Tree appeared over the Sunset Lands as Alusair's royal summons called Aaron's forces to war against Tifanton.
• Aaron promised land, titles, and wealth to soldiers who earned merit, stirring the Ninth Shepherd Legion and Edward Teach to seek a role in the campaign.
• Aaron and Charlotte created a Half-Griffon, and Aaron offered Edward Teach a chance to fight ashore if he could tame one; the beast promptly tackled him.
• After three months, the harvest ended and farmers gathered to enlist as the Ninth Shepherd Legion prepared to march.
• The legion emerged in full plate armor, followed by Snow Elves equipped with dragon-hide armor and powerful weapons, then by fewer than a hundred Half-Griffon riders.
• Spies from other powers watched the army assemble and hurried to report that something was wrong with Aaron Salian's forces.

Aaron’s recruitment built a twenty-eight-hundred-strong army for the expedition to Tifanton, stirring political factions across Cormyr. At Sallyan Castle, Aaron learned that Duke Bilgard’s rule was backed by the Snake God and possibly Drow, then ordered the army to march the next morning.

• Brusnan led his Dragonborn clan into Aaron’s northern expedition, while the Silver Hand and Tymora’s clerics also joined the campaign.
• Reports of Aaron’s army spread across the region, and rival Cormyr factions used him to advance competing political claims.
• Alusair decided to give Suzail’s idle nobles a chance to distinguish themselves and secretly used Aaron to support her plans to consolidate power.
• Robert briefed Aaron and Maximian on Duke Bilgard’s rule in Tifanton and reported that Bilgard had claimed a role in Manuel’s and Elizabeth’s deaths.
• Aaron welcomed the resulting pretext for war and learned that Bilgard had ties to Merrshaulk and that Drow were active in Tifanton.
• Aaron ordered Maximian to prepare the army to march the following morning.

Aaron Salian used the Chaos Hellcannon to devastate Half-Greyrock Fortress while Duke Bilgard and his forces were inside. As Bilgard survived the blast by casting Death Ward, Aaron ordered an immediate assault before Cormyr’s Princess Regent and the Purple Dragon Knights arrived.

• Simonis spotted Cormyr’s army gathered at Elf Hill and reported its arrival to Duke Bilgard.
• Bilgard dismissed the assembled Cormyr and Sunset Lands forces as an outing, though Kordik feared the enemy and recognized Aaron as a threat.
• Aaron fired the Chaos Hellcannon, whose blast engulfed Half-Greyrock Fortress and forced Bilgard to flee through the collapsing ruins.
• Bilgard cast Death Ward at the last moment and survived the explosion, tumbling down the cliff as the fortress was destroyed.
• Aaron ordered the attack, and Doherty led over a thousand Chaos Warriors across the river toward the fallen fortress.

Aaron’s forces captured Half-Greyrock Fortress with a devastating cannon strike, drawing attention from Cormyr’s nobles and neighboring powers. As Alusair arrived with the royal army, Cormyr prepared to begin its full-scale war against Tifanton.

• Aaron led the Shepherd Legion across the river and captured Half-Greyrock Fortress, while Suzail’s nobles charged after them hoping to claim military honors.
• News of Aaron’s cannon spread abroad, prompting Zambia’s Duke Samaron Uskoren III to consider an alliance with a Blue-Robed One.
• Iyachtu Xvim and Fuzol discussed Aaron’s growing power, while Storm Silverhand, Elminster, and Dove Falconhand agreed to monitor events without interfering in Cormyr’s campaign.
• Dukes Kenness Irlingstar and Gordon Marelli hurriedly mustered their elite troops after fearing Aaron would claim all the credit and outshine their forces.
• On the last day of October, 1365 Dalereckoning, Alusair reached the front with the Purple Dragons and the royal army, and the all-out war against Tifanton was poised to begin.

Alusair inspected Aaron’s fully armed Shepherd Legion while he was away, and the officers obeyed Aegir rather than Alusair when she ordered them to remove their armor. Meanwhile, Duke Bilgard summoned a powerful Klurichir in Tifanton and offered to pay whatever price the demon demanded.

• Alusair led the Purple Dragon Knights into Elf Hill Camp and assessed the Suzail nobles who had gathered to join the war.
• Alusair inspected the Shepherd Legion and its Half-Griffon Knights, whose discipline and equipment alarmed the Purple Dragon representatives.
• Alusair asked Robert about Aaron and Eleanor, then took Aaron’s seat in the command tent while Aegir claimed the seat beside her.
• Alusair told the Shepherd officers to remove their armor, but they waited for Aegir’s approval before obeying, leaving Alusair uncertain of her authority over Aaron’s troops.
• Alusair changed the subject by offering Aegir gifts, and Aegir eagerly accepted the chance to inspect the Obarskyr treasures.
• Duke Bilgard returned to Tifanton and summoned a Klurichir, which killed the two Primordial Serpentfolk before Bilgard offered to pay the demon’s price.

Duke Bilgard summoned a Klurichir, which routed Cormyr’s forces when Suzail’s nobles charged ahead of schedule, before Aegir and reinforcements helped secure victory. Aaron interrogated Kordik and learned the Snake God’s egg had been stolen; after returning to camp, he found Alusair furious and ordering him to take off his armor.

• Duke Bilgard summoned a Klurichir and bargained with it to destroy Cormyr’s royal army in exchange for a payment the demon would choose later.
• Aaron charmed the captured Kordik, who revealed that Bilgard sought the stolen Snake God’s egg and kept Azoun IV’s sword embedded in dragon bones as leverage for surrender.
• Suzail’s nobles charged toward Tifanton early, disrupting Cormyr’s formation and leading the Klurichir’s demons to rout them and throw Lady Laeral’s forces into disarray.
• Aegir and the Salian army arrived, and Duke Kenness and Duke Gordon brought reinforcements; the Klurichir fled as Cormyr won the battle and surrounded Tifanton.
• Aaron returned to camp that evening, where Alusair angrily ordered him to take off his armor.

The author explained that personal difficulties and declining interest had harmed Crown of Chaos, and apologized for its weak writing and confused plot. He promised to finish the book, simplify its direction, and begin the Golden Road arc.

• The author said someone had used his identity to open a shop near his parents, and he spent the day handling the resulting dispute and reporting it.
• After seeing readers criticize Crown of Chaos, the author admitted it was worse than Warhammer Throne and described how waning interest and unfamiliarity with Dungeons & Dragons had weakened his writing.
• The author said his attachment to the Emperor pulled the story away from its premise, while an oversized plan and the Baldur's Gate arc made the plot scattered.
• The author apologized for the book's problems and promised to finish it by cutting unnecessary side plots and writing the story he wanted to tell.
• The author announced that the next arc would be Golden Road.

Alusair accepted Bilgard’s surrender terms and went to retrieve her father’s legendary sword, Dragonflame Tongue. When she tried to pull it from the dragon bone, dragonfire erupted and the Klurichir’s demon army attacked, but Aaron protected the group and exposed an impostor as an agent of Cyric.

• Bilgard’s envoy returned Aaron’s father’s battered sword and offered Azoun IV’s scabbard as leverage in peace negotiations.
• Alusair refused to trade away Cormyr’s unity for the missing blade, but accepted Bilgard’s offer to become Baron of the Rocklands while meeting her other demands.
• After Tifanton surrendered, Alusair went with Aaron, Eleanor, and others to retrieve Dragonflame Tongue from a mountain hollow.
• When Alusair tried to pull the sword free, dragonfire engulfed the hollow and the Klurichir led a demon army into an attack.
• A disguised DePies tried to stab Alusair, but Tears of Selûne smashed his head, and Aaron protected the group with the Wind of Akasha and identified the impostor as Cyric’s agent.

Aaron and his allies defeated Cyric’s plot and recovered Dragonflame Tongue, while Alusair executed Duke Bilgard and rewarded Aaron with an earldom and sweeping command over Cormyr’s northern frontier. The volume ended with a devil-eyed bard reminding Aaron that he still owed him a Waukeen.

• Aaron, Eleanor, Alusair, and the arriving Cormyrian forces killed Cyric’s Greater Doppelganger proxy and drove the Klurichir and demon legion from Tifantom.
• Alusair used the Dragon-Speaker Mask to free Dragonflame Tongue from the dragon bone and declared that Bilgard should receive a dignified end.
• Alusair sentenced Duke Bilgard to hanging, completing Tifantom’s pacification and restoring Cormyr’s territory to its former extent under Azoun IV.
• Alusair granted Aaron the title of first-rank earl, the privilege of wearing the Purple Dragon Crown, and authority over Cormyr’s northern military and frontier territories.
• At the celebratory banquet, a bard with Hell’s flames in his eyes congratulated Aaron and reminded him that he still owed him a Waukeen.

Aaron gave Selûne a Word of Truth Lasso to protect her from the Cyrinishad, then met Shar for advice and intelligence before his planned trip to the Abyss. Shar warned him about the journey and told him Jergal was seeking a new King of the Dead, while their meeting ended with her preparing to kiss him.

• Aaron presented Selûne with the Word of Truth Lasso, and she promised to wear it despite doubting the danger of the Cyrinishad.
• Selûne supported Aaron's plan to enter the Abyss to rescue Waukeen and offered to make him her subordinate god if Ao permitted it.
• Shar advised Aaron to study the River Styx and revealed that Jergal was seeking a candidate to replace Cyric as King of the Dead.
• Aaron told Shar that the Cyrinishad could seize control of Mask, and Shar began forming a new scheme.
• Shar embraced Aaron, warned him not to die in the Abyss, and announced that she would kiss him before Selûne did.