Chapter Summaries

Waukeen recovered her divine portfolio and power from Lliira, though their reunion ended in strained silence. As she began granting rewards to Aaron’s companions, Morgan asked Aaron to free him from Mammon’s contract, and Astarion wished to become a duke of Baldur’s Gate.

• Lliira reluctantly returned Waukeen’s divine portfolio and power, and Waukeen regained her full divine status as their friendship grew strained.
• Aaron discussed with Nastya the rift between the goddesses and revealed that he had obtained a portion of Waukeen’s authority from Tarathia, which he intended to use in plans for the Abyss.
• Waukeen summoned Aaron and his companions to claim their rewards, and Morgan asked to become her planar ally.
• Waukeen refused to take Morgan while he remained bound by the primordial pact, so Morgan asked Aaron to break his Hell Contract with Mammon.
• Aaron promised to help Morgan escape, invoking Khorne’s message that rules were made to be broken.
• Astarion asked Waukeen to make him an officially recognized duke of Baldur’s Gate.

Waukeen granted the petitioners’ wishes before rewarding Aaron, who then proposed that they use their powers to create a new Abyssal species and Lord. The chapter ended with Aaron asking Waukeen whether she wanted revenge on Six-Fingers.

• Waukeen offered Astarion a noble title, a fabricated Balduran lineage, and the resources to campaign for a dukedom in Baldur’s Gate.
• Waukeen began cleansing Nastya’s bloodline curse and agreed to consider how to free Eleanora from Malcanthet’s influence.
• Waukeen found Annomyn’s mother in Ilmater’s realm, and Annomyn accepted that his mother was unwilling to return and thanked Ilmater.
• Waukeen took Aaron to her bedroom and spent eight hours with him as her reward.
• Aaron told Waukeen how he had acquired Tarathia’s abyssal essence and proposed using it with her authority to create a new Abyssal species and Lord.

Aaron and Waukeen used abyssal essence and Waukeen’s divine power to create a new succubus breed, an angelic nun named Grudge. Grudge recognized Aaron as her master, and he declared that she would rule the forty-fifth layer of the Abyss.

• Aaron offered Waukeen Tarathia’s extracted authority and proposed that they create a unique succubus together to take revenge on Six-Fingers.
• Waukeen agreed to help, and she and Aaron began shaping an abyssal maggot above the molten-gold lake in her Divine Realm.
• Aaron transformed the maggot into the embryonic form of a Shining Sister while Waukeen used Ultimate Human Transmutation to form its body from molten gold.
• The newborn succubus called Waukeen Mother and Aaron Master, then accidentally knocked Aaron down and trapped him in magical webbing.
• Waukeen named the succubus Grudge, and Aaron named her breed the Succubus Nun and declared her the ruler of the forty-fifth layer of the Abyss.

Waukeen returned to the Realms after Aaron helped rescue her, while Graz'zt faced the loss of much of his power and territory. As Waukeen rewarded Aaron and fulfilled his companions’ wishes, Selûne confronted her over Aaron’s peril and their quarrel escalated into a fight.

• Waukeen returned to Amn on February 14, 1368, and announced her restoration to her worshippers as Aaron’s team celebrated with her.
• Graz'zt watched the celebrations from the Silver Palace and realized that his weakened forces and lost layers left him vulnerable to Waukeen’s revenge.
• Waukeen rewarded Aaron with one million gold coins, helped transform Eleanora and Cynthia into succubus nuns, and freed Morgan from Mammon’s control, making him her celestial servitor.
• Selûne confronted Waukeen for letting Aaron risk his life to rescue her, and Waukeen retorted that Aaron had acted willingly and claimed that he had been wonderful.
• Selûne and Waukeen fought after Waukeen admitted she had been intimate with Aaron, while a hidden goddess watched and considered contacting Telamont to bring the Shade Enclave back early.

Morgan ended his adventure by escaping the terms of his Hell Contract with Raphael, while Aaron began discussing a possible deal with the furious archdevil. Meanwhile, Shar set a Golden Apple before Selûne, Waukeen, and Sune, leaving the three goddesses captivated by a note naming its recipient the most beautiful goddess.

• Morgan told Aaron that he had transformed Cynthia and their unborn child so they could live safely, and declared the Abyssal Crusade party disbanded.
• Raphael confronted Morgan over his promised rewards, but Morgan explained that becoming an Otherworldly Divine Servant freed him from their Hell Contract.
• Aaron asked Raphael to do him a favor, and Raphael agreed to discuss a new deal.
• Shar secretly placed a Golden Apple on the table as Selûne and Waukeen fought over Aaron and Waukeen's treatment of Lliira.
• Sune arrived and rebuked Waukeen for demanding back her divine portfolio and power without thanking Lliira.
• Selûne, Waukeen, and Sune gathered around the Golden Apple and read its note offering the fruit to the most beautiful goddess.

Sune, Waukeen, and Selûne fought over a golden apple inscribed for the most beautiful goddess, then forced Aaron to decide who should receive it. Shar watched their rivalry unfold as she advanced her plan to use Charlotte's blood to open Amaunator's Divine Realm and bring darkness back to Realmspace.

• Sune recognized the golden apple as a rare treasure from the Greek pantheon and claimed it, while Waukeen insisted it belonged to her and Selûne took it for herself.
• The three goddesses fought over the apple, unleashing divine power that the banquet guests mistook for fireworks.
• Aaron discussed possible cooperation with Raphael, asked him to investigate Zariel and her Holy Elephant, and then went upstairs to investigate the divine power he sensed.
• Aaron found the three goddesses fighting and learned that Sune had decided he would choose which one was most beautiful and would receive the apple.
• Shar watched the goddesses turn against one another and prepared to use Charlotte's blood to open Amaunator's Divine Realm and restore her rule over Realmspace.

Aaron chose Selûne over Waukeen and Sune for the golden apple, deepening his relationship with Selûne while ending his ties with the other two goddesses. Selûne then promised to introduce him to a goddess who needed his help against her mother.

• Waukeen, Sune, and Selûne pressured Aaron to decide who deserved the golden apple.
• Aaron rejected Waukeen, who ended her personal relationship with him, and then rejected Sune by giving the apple to Selûne.
• Sune and Waukeen argued after Aaron and Selûne left, and their churches severed relations.
• Selûne questioned Aaron about sleeping with Waukeen, and she and Aaron shared their first true kiss before fleeing Waukeen's thrown candlestick.
• Aaron and Selûne embraced at Athkatla's harbor, where Selûne promised to make it up to him by introducing him to a goddess who needed help dealing with her mother.

Aaron accepted Selûne’s plan to marry Eleanor and Charlotte while preparing a northern expedition against Shade Enclave, and he realized Eilistraee could help unite the gods against Shar. In Waterdeep, Charlotte returned from reaching legendary status and encountered a filthy beggar who claimed to be her father.

• Aaron told Selûne he suspected the Golden Apple was part of a conspiracy, and she explained that winning over Eilistraee could bring the Elven Pantheon into their alliance against Shar.
• Selûne arranged for Aaron to marry Eleanor and Charlotte in Cormyr, while Aaron agreed to delay his northern expedition until after the wedding.
• Selûne vanished after asking Aaron to treat Eilistraee well, and Aaron returned to the Church of Waukeen to trade for divinity with Imoen, Abdel, and Sarevok.
• Charlotte had become a legendary Sorcerer under Khelben Blackstaff’s tutelage and was eager to return to Cormyr.
• A filthy beggar found Charlotte outside Blackstaff Tower and told her that he was her father.

Charlotte learned that the old beggar was her father, the weakened sun god Amaunator, who planned to reclaim his divine power with her help. Meanwhile, Aaron reunited with Imoen and learned how she had raised the ransom by helping slay a red dragon.

• Amaunator revealed his identity to Charlotte and drained some of her divine soul power before explaining that Lathander was consuming his authority.
• Amaunator told Charlotte that they had to grow stronger, named her Elysia, Princess of the Rising Sun, and used Karsus's Magic Box to reveal his aspect as the Machine God.
• Aaron collected Waukeen's enormous reward and spoke with Annomyn about becoming a hero his mother could be proud of.
• Aaron met Imoen and Minsc, and Imoen explained that she had raised the ransom by investigating a kidnapped girl and slaying a red dragon with help from the paladin Reynard.

After Imoen rescued Abdel and Sarevok from prison by slaying a Red Dragon, Aaron offered to trade them Chaos power for their Bhaal divinity. Abdel negotiated for help winning Jaheira’s love, and Sarevok agreed after seeing Annomyn’s transformation.

• Imoen and her companions weakened the Red Dragon, transformed it into a rat, and Reynard killed it with Triple Smite Evil, earning the gold to ransom Abdel.
• Aaron warned Imoen about her reckless plan, then accompanied her to Helm’s prison, where they learned the Church had armed its guards with Hextech Firelocks.
• Imoen paid twenty thousand gold coins to free Abdel and Sarevok, who had spent a year in prison and believed Aaron had come to rescue them.
• Aaron offered Abdel and Sarevok Chaos power in exchange for their Bhaal divinity, and Abdel negotiated for help pursuing Jaheira, money, and a knighthood.
• Aaron showed Annomyn transforming into a Daemon Prince, convincing Abdel and Sarevok that the trade was genuine, and they agreed.

Aaron stripped Bhaal’s divinity from Abdel and Sarevok, transforming them into Daemon Princes while gaining access to Bhaal’s Divine Realm and portfolio of death. Abdel regained clarity and confessed to killing Khalid on purpose, but Sarevok persuaded him that marrying Jaheira could serve as atonement, as the three declared themselves family; meanwhile, Eleanor’s crusading party returned to Athkatla and discussed rebuilding Selûne’s holy site and Aaron’s money.

• Aaron used Drach'nyen and a Chaos Ritual Circle to extract Bhaal’s divinity from Abdel and Sarevok, then empowered them as Daemon Princes beneath his Golden Law.
• Aaron sensed Cyric in Bhaal’s Divine Realm and considered whether to target Cyric or Lolth next, while Imoen asked him to transform her too and he told her to wait until she was older and stronger.
• Freed from Bhaal’s influence, Abdel confessed that he had deliberately killed Khalid, and Sarevok urged him to marry Jaheira as a way to atone.
• Abdel accepted Sarevok’s plan, and Sarevok welcomed Imoen into their new family.
• Eleanor, Isobel, and Aylin returned to Athkatla after reclaiming Selûne’s holy site, and Aylin joked about asking Aaron for money to rebuild it and as Eleanor’s bride price.

Aaron left Amn for Cormyr after arranging for his companions to pursue their own plans, and his deeds in the Abyss made him famous throughout the Realms. As news of his growing power reached Cormyr, Vangerdahast warned Alusair that the royal house was losing control of him and asked whether it was time to act.

• Aaron gave Abdel a tournament invitation, said goodbye to his companions, and left Amn with Grudge to meet Eleanor.
• Eleanor reunited with Aaron outside Athkatla, and the two boarded a ship for Cormyr as stories of Aaron's million gold coins and victory over Six-Fingers spread.
• In Shendilavri, Be'lakor considered Daba-Thorn's plan to kill a True God after hearing about Aaron's deeds.
• Elminster told the Seven Sisters that he would visit Aaron in Cormyr, citing favors Aaron owed him and his familiarity with the kingdom.
• Vangerdahast told Alusair that Aaron's forces and wealth had shifted the balance of power away from the royal house, then asked whether Cormyr should take action against him.

Alusair rejected Vangerdahast’s warning that Aaron might found an independent nation, recognizing that Cyric had manipulated the old mage to drive a wedge between her and Aaron. She chose to trust Aaron, while Bahamut’s servant Kaglitris revealed that the Platinum Dragon God sought to establish a temple and territory in Cormyr’s Rocklands; Cyric realized his scheme had failed and turned to other plans.

• Vangerdahast warned Alusair that Bahamut’s followers might support Aaron in founding an independent nation, and Alusair accused the old mage of prying into Aaron’s power and his own dragon research.
• Alusair reminded Vangerdahast that his past actions had led to her father’s death, then concluded that Cyric had used him to provoke distrust between her and Aaron.
• Alusair dismissed Vangerdahast and chose to trust Aaron, staking Cormyr’s future and the Obarskyr Royal House on him.
• The Queen’s Blade delivered a letter from Aaron, and Alusair was delighted by his support for what came next.
• Kaglitris revealed himself as Bahamut’s representative and said Bahamut wanted to establish his great temple in the Rocklands; Alusair said they would discuss the matter after Aaron returned.
• Cyric sensed that his scheme had failed, angrily killed a petitioner, and vowed that he still had other plans against Aaron, Midnight, and Kelemvor.

Aaron returned to Cormyr and told Duke Kenness he would not found a kingdom or marry into the Obarskyr family, but planned to ask Alusair to appoint him Shogun. He proposed conquering the northern lands and hinted that he could restore the Great Desert of Anauroch.

• Cormyrians at a breakfast stall praised Alusair and Aaron while speculating that Aaron would become her consort.
• Aaron gave Duke Kenness more than twenty thousand Amnian Gold Notes and promised to invest his million gold coins in Cormyr.
• Aaron told Duke Kenness that his strength exceeded the rank of earl, but he would not abandon the Salian name to join the royal family.
• Aaron revealed that Cormyrians no longer formed an absolute majority in his Ninth Shepherd Legion and that the army was eager to turn its attention toward the Dragon Throne.
• Aaron said he would ask Alusair to appoint him Shogun so he could lead the Legion against Anauroch, Cormanthor Forest, and Zhentil Keep.
• Aaron claimed he had a way to save Anauroch, whose failed restoration efforts Duke Kenness had just mentioned.

Aaron proposed gaining authority over northern Cormyr without challenging the Obarskyr Royal House, then returned to Suzail and showered the royal family, nobles, and army with lavish gifts. As the celebrations ended, he asked Eleanor whether she wanted to become his Midaidokoro Lady, hinting at a larger plan.

• Aaron explained to Duke Kenness that he would remain loyal to Cormyr while seeking permission to govern and develop the northern territories as a shogunate.
• Aaron persuaded Duke Kenness by offering the duke’s children and other nobles a chance to join his northern army and gain land, wealth, and power.
• Aaron returned to Suzail with Aegir, Grudge, Buer, Eleanor, and his military forces, where Princess Regent Alusair and the nobles welcomed him.
• Aaron publicly presented vast gifts to Cormyr, the Obarskyr Royal House, the dukes, the Purple Dragons, Charlotte Caradnae, and the other nobles.
• Aaron honored his aunt Mellie and uncle Lothair at the banquet, drawing the attention of Alusair, the Queen Mother, and the assembled guests.
• Aaron told Eleanor he had spent the money strategically and asked whether she wanted to become his Midaidokoro Lady.

At the Kingdom Council gathering, Alusair decided to elevate Aaron to archduke and rename the Rocklands Green Velar. Aaron received the title and ceremonial crown, while he prepared to pursue the title of Shogun next.

• Alusair admired Aaron’s gifts and discussed with Queen Mother Filfaeril granting him a title, proposing that he become Archduke of Green Velar.
• Cabinet Minister Jim read Alusair’s decree investing Aaron as Archduke of Green Velar and posthumously granting honors to his parents, Manuel Salian and Elizabeth.
• Duke Gordon and Ian Hutson discussed Manuel’s posthumous promotions and worried about the consequences if Aaron got into more trouble.
• Aaron accepted his archducal crown and robes, then helped his cousins Maximian and Robert rise after they knelt in awe.
• Aaron resolved to secure the title of Shogun when the proposal came before the Kingdom Council the next day.

After Aaron returned to Suzail as Archduke of Green Velar, he reunited with his family and companions and prepared to seek the Kingdom Council’s approval to become Shogun. The council convened to consider his Conquer the Barbarians Bill, but the nobles also found an unexpected Obarskyr Royal House Bill before them.

• News of Aaron’s investiture and his rescue of Waukeen spread throughout Cormyr, while the Church of Wealth circulated an embellished account of his deeds.
• Lothair and Mellie welcomed Maximian and Robert, who said Aaron had promised them baronies and Eleanor a countess title.
• Aaron returned to the Sallyan Residence, gave gifts to Aegir, Grudge, and Buer, and reunited with Eleanor.
• After spending the night with Aaron, Eleanor joined the family for breakfast, where Aegir ate ten portions and Eleanor cast Heroes’ Feast.
• Aaron told Aegir to assume her dragon form and called on his companions and allies to help him at the Kingdom Council.
• The Kingdom Council convened to debate Aaron’s Conquer the Barbarians Bill and Shogun bid, but the nobles also received the Obarskyr Royal House Bill—Alternate Attendance.

The Kingdom Council appointed Aaron Salian as Cormyr’s Shogun after he secured broad support for his military and diplomatic autonomy. Alusair then introduced a second proposal that enraged the nobles, and Aaron and his forces revealed they had prepared to crush any resistance.

• Sharp Redbeard and the other nobles reviewed Aaron’s proposal to gain independent command, diplomacy, and war powers and reorganize the Ninth Shepherd Legion into five banners.
• Aaron explained to Buer that he needed the Kingdom Council’s approval to secure a stable rear and recruit trusted nobles and other talent for his campaigns and government.
• The Kingdom Council approved Aaron’s proposal by more than two-thirds of the vote and appointed him Shogun.
• Alusair presented a second proposal requiring nobles to spend half of each year in Suzail and bring their families and troops, prompting furious protests from Sharp Redbeard, Duke Kenness, and others.
• Alusair challenged the nobles to face her in a duel, and Aaron declared that he would crush anyone who disrespected her.
• Aegir, the Silver Dragon Knights, the Silver Moon Warriors, Maximian, and Robert surrounded the Kingdom Council building, revealing that Aaron and Alusair had prepared for the nobles’ resistance.

After Aaron and Alusair used the failed Alternate Attendance proposal to secure respect for the passed Conquer the Barbarians proposal, they celebrated his appointment as Shogun. Aaron confessed that he had once used Alusair for his own purposes but now loved her, and the chapter ended with her accepting his long-awaited confession through tears.

• Aaron and Alusair withdrew their forces from the Kingdom Council chamber, then the nobles voted down the Alternate Attendance proposal while passing Conquer the Barbarians.
• Alusair adjourned the council and declared that the passed proposal would be implemented, while Amaunator explained to Charlotte how the paired votes had bound the nobles to respect the council's results.
• At the Shogun's inauguration celebration, Alusair and Aaron discussed her burdens as ruler and shared their painful pasts.
• Aaron admitted that his attraction to Alusair had once been physical and that he had resented the Obarskyr family, but said he no longer held it against her.
• Aaron apologized, promised to marry Alusair and share his life with her, and confessed his love; Alusair cried and told him she had been waiting for him.

Aaron established the Edict Knights to recruit Cormyrian noble heirs for a future northern expedition, then invested his followers with lands and titles. At the order’s gathering, he announced that he had prepared an army of a hundred million to conquer the Great Desert.

• Alusair approved Aaron’s Edict Knights decree, and Cormyrian nobles rushed to outfit their younger heirs for recruitment.
• Fiolena explained that the recruits’ pay and future estates would depend on pacifying and surveying Green Velar, while the northern expedition would wait until spring.
• Aaron invested Eleanor, Aegir, Buer, Maximian, Robert, Rhaelta Deep Snow, and Doherty Bloodsword with titles and lands.
• In late February 1368, more than a thousand Edict Knights gathered at the Obarskyr Royal Palace, where Aaron welcomed them and urged them to claim new lands in the Great Desert.
• When a recruit asked how many troops Aaron had prepared, Aaron declared that he had an army of a hundred million and would flatten the Great Desert.