Chapter Summaries

The gods debated Aaron’s plans to reclaim the Anauroch Great Desert and agreed to intervene if he used a hundred-million-strong army for anything beyond settling his personal grudge with Cyric. Back in Sallyan Castle, Aaron welcomed Bahamut’s emissaries and agreed to cede land in Green Velar in exchange for a dragon-backed alliance and protection.

• At Waukeen’s trial against Lliira, the gods discussed Aaron’s claimed army and the dangers of confronting the Phaerimm and the Magic Drain.
• The gods resolved to punish Aaron if he used a hundred-million-strong army for widespread war, but to ignore it if he used it against Cyric.
• After returning to Sallyan Castle in March 1368 Dalereckoning, Aaron learned Eleanor had gained Legendary power from Selûne and teased Maximian about finding a partner.
• Kaglitris arrived with Bahamut’s pact, offering dragons and paladins to protect Aaron’s territory in exchange for land in Green Velar and a church.
• Aaron agreed to the deal after confirming his people could farm the ceded land in exchange for Bahamut’s tithe.

Aaron secured Bahamut’s support for Green Velar and then summoned Akadi, Goddess of Air, with an offering of Slaanesh Incense. Akadi became interested when Aaron revealed a segment of the Rod of Seven Parts, summoned Aqua to deal with it, and left before hearing the rest of his request.

• Kaglitris negotiated Bahamut’s Sacred Pact with Aaron, and Bahamut’s Platinum Knights agreed to protect ceded lands and establish a Court of Justice in Green Velar.
• Aaron signed the Sacred Pact, bringing gold, silver, and bronze dragons, half-dragon paladins, and paladins of Ilmater into Bahamut’s service there.
• Aaron, Aegir, Buer, Eleanor, Robert, and Maximian burned a hundred pounds of Slaanesh Incense beside Wyvernwater to summon Akadi.
• Akadi recognized Aaron, interrupted him with questions about his adventures, and discussed the Abyss before Aaron could explain why he had called her.
• Aaron showed Akadi a segment of the Rod of Seven Parts, prompting her to summon Aqua and tell her that Aaron had brought the artifact.
• Akadi left Aaron and Aqua to talk about the rod.

Aqua tested Aaron and blessed him with extraordinary agility in exchange for his promise to return the Rod of Seven Parts and cooperate with the Air Elemental Army. Back at Aquitaine Palace, Aaron hinted that his planned desert campaign would actually create an opening to strike Zhentil Keep, then joined Grudge in teasing Eleanor.

• Aqua asked Aaron why he wanted to return the Rod of Seven Parts, and he requested an extraordinary agility blessing and a lasting alliance with the Air Elemental Army.
• Aqua tested Aaron with a question and a charisma check; he passed, received the blessing, and was given a Wind Magic Crystal to summon air elementals for a price.
• Aaron returned to Aquitaine Palace with Eleanor and said he planned to exploit the information gap by launching an expedition after spring planting.
• Aaron hinted that the desert campaign would draw attention away from his real target, Zhentil Keep, and Eleanor understood his plan.
• Aaron and Eleanor found Grudge hiding in Eleanor’s bed; Grudge begged Eleanor to teach her how to squirt milk, and Aaron told her to watch as he began teasing Eleanor.

In 1368, Aaron prepared Cormyr and Green Velar for a northern campaign into the Anauroch Great Desert, while Paladin Reynard led a delegation to join it. After seeing Green Velar’s transformation and Tifanton’s booming prosperity, Reynard heard that Aaron had arrived.

• Aaron announced a full-scale expedition into the Anauroch Great Desert and invited adventurers from across the Realms to join.
• Reynard recalled how Sir Keldorn retired after discovering his wife’s affair, and how Keldorn forgave her and entrusted the Holy Avenger to Reynard.
• Reynard told his fellow Paladins that Aaron had awakened his bloodline in the King's Forest, while privately noting that only two of Bane’s Godspawn remained.
• Reynard and the Paladins reached Green Velar and saw its fertile farmland, thriving trade, and transformed capital, Tifanton.
• Reynard watched workers build the city as citizens prepared for the northern expedition, then heard that Aaron had arrived as a dragon roared.

Aaron prepared Green Velar’s army for an expedition into the Anauroch Great Desert, developing the Cube of Torment to counter the Phaerimm. He assigned commanders to the expedition’s columns and announced Operation Gaia, while secretly aiming to seize opportunities against Zhentil Keep and Menzoberranzan.

• Aaron entered Tifanton as Aegir appeared in dragon form, and Green Velar’s assembled forces paraded through the city.
• Aaron asked Dwarven masters Fojal Wilhelm and Kimgon Firepattern to build the Cube of Torment, and Fojal promised a finished version in five days.
• Aegir warned Aaron that the Cube could not react to the Phaerimm’s unpredictable spells, but Aaron revealed that he intended to supply its calculations himself as a Sorcerer.
• Aaron organized approximately forty-nine thousand troops into three columns commanded by Maximian, Aegir, and Eleanor, with Buer’s forces supporting his own contingent.
• Aaron ordered the army into the Anauroch Great Desert and named the campaign Operation Gaia.

The Green Velar army struggled through the lifeless Anauroch Great Desert, relying on magical equipment and supplies to endure its deadly conditions. Maximian and Robert arranged for Doherty to lead the first strike, and he faced a band of Bedine riders alone.

• The Green Velar army entered the Anauroch Great Desert and lost many soldiers to its extreme heat and barren terrain.
• Maximian used Aaron’s guidebook to consider Netheril’s fall and learned that the Bedine tribes descended from its surviving city-states.
• Maximian’s troops deployed Tzeentch Compasses, Nurgle Bells, endless-water waterskins, and Hextech cupcakes to survive the desert.
• Robert told Maximian that Doherty had gone ahead after a compass detected something, and the two agreed that their left army should deliver the first strike.
• Doherty advanced alone through the desert without the army’s magical protections and encountered more than twenty armed riders on camels.

The three armies advanced into the Anauroch Desert as Doherty’s left army won its first fight against the Bedine, while the central army spotted a Zhentarim caravan and charged to attack. Eleanor’s right army found Lake Erazad and the Moon Temple, the sacred site she believed would be key to conquering the desert.

• Doherty prayed to Khorne, then killed the Bedine raiders who charged him with his Counterattack Spiral.
• Maximian learned that the left army had drawn first blood, and news of the victory spread through the Tzeentch Compass.
• Reynard noticed the Rising Sun Heresy supporter Delleghart and his followers in the central army’s camp before a Zhentarim caravan was spotted.
• Aegir led the central army in an eager charge toward the Zhentarim caravan, while Delleghart’s Glorious Sun Brotherhood rushed after rumors of ruins and holy relics.
• Eleanor rejected the right army’s focus on killing and led it toward a desert base and ancient ruins.
• Guided by Selûne, Eleanor’s army found Lake Erazad and the Moon Temple, which she identified as the Bedine’s holy land and the site where Eldath was imprisoned.

Aaron Salian’s army crossed the Anauroch Desert as the Bedine fought a civil war over their next king, while Aaron prepared to seize Lake Erazad and confront the Netherese Seven’s resurgence. Harold the Great and Dreadful’s attempted surrender was turned into a false declaration of war, leaving the Shogunate army ready to attack.

• Aegir raided Zhentarim caravans, captured Moradin Series weapons, and told Aaron that a Zhentarim mage had escaped and that the Zhentarim seemed to be plotting something.
• Aaron’s armies advanced through the desert, where he learned the Bedine were divided by a civil war among Harald the Merciless, Ivar the Boneless, and Harold the Great and Dreadful.
• Aaron ordered Maximian, Aegir, and Eleanor to attack anyone they encountered and advance to Lake Erazad to seal off Scimitar Peak.
• As Ivar the Boneless’s forces intervened in the battle between Harald and Harold, Harold learned that Aaron’s army was approaching and decided to feign submission for his own advantage.
• Harold sent his son Stones to offer submission, but Edward Teach and the Order Knights accused the Bedine of declaring war, killed Stones and his attendants, and prompted Aaron’s army to attack.

Aaron's Shogunate conquered Erazad City and routed the Bedine forces, while Robert's brutal pursuit of military merit clashed with Maximian's restraint. Aaron then revealed Amaunator's divine blood to Harald and offered him the Bedine kingship, winning Harald's submission.

• Fiolena ordered the Shogunate forces to attack the Bedine, and Aaron's troops stormed Erazad City while its main defenders fought in the civil war.
• Aaron entered Eldath's temple, ordered its women and children given food and water, and examined the statues of the Netherese Seven.
• Edward Teach reported that Maximian's left-wing army was routing Harold and Ivar, while Robert ordered the Shepherd Legion to kill Bedine cavalry and nobles for rewards.
• Maximian stopped Robert's slaughter, but Harold and Ivar's armies were routed, and Harald's remaining warriors were surrounded.
• Aaron confronted Harald, showed him Amaunator's divine blood, and offered him the kingship of the Bedine.
• Harald and his son Halfdan knelt and pledged the Bedine's submission to Aaron.

Aaron secured the Bedine tribes’ allegiance, crowned Harald their king, and formed the Varangian Guard while explaining his political calculations to Eleanor. He then agreed to help Harald attack the Zhentarim, as Manshoon learned that their forces were marching toward the Moonsea and Cyric prepared to retaliate.

• Aaron punished Robert for failing to control his troops, then rewarded him and Maximian for their victories, prompting Eleanor to question his decisions.
• Aaron crowned Merciless Harald King of the Bedine, placed the tribes under his authority, and established the Varangian Guard under White-Robed Halfdan.
• Aaron explained to Eleanor why he had rejected Harold’s surrender and chosen Harald, then asked whether she would accompany him to the Moonsea.
• Aaron offered to help Harald take revenge on the Zhentarim, and Harald accepted his offer to burn Zhentil Keep.
• A Zhentarim agent told Manshoon that Harald had invited Cormyr to join the march toward the Moonsea, and Manshoon vowed that Cyric would destroy Aaron.

Manshoon prepared the Zhentarim to fight Aaron Salian by seeking allies and declaring the conflict a holy war. Aaron traveled to Shadowdale to enlist Elminster’s support, but found Eilistraee waiting for him upstairs.

• Manshoon and Aksino vowed to destroy Aaron, while Selura proposed recruiting allies including forces in Thay and the church of the Lady of the Night.
• Aaron arrived in Shadowdale with a small retinue and learned through the Tzeentch Compass that the Zhentarim were gathering troops and allies rather than seeking a direct decisive battle.
• Aaron discussed the coming war with Aegir and Eleanor, then heard the conflicting rumors about his campaign circulating among Shadowdale’s residents.
• Aaron went to Elminster’s estate hoping to gain the support of Shadowdale’s powerful defenders, but Vanessa and Kafka greeted him at the door.
• Vanessa and Kafka told Aaron that their lady was waiting upstairs, and Aaron decided to meet Eilistraee.

Aaron visited Elminster in Shadowdale and met Eilistraee, who asked him to help stop Lolth from ascending to greater godhood. The chapter ended with Aaron asking how Eilistraee would repay him, and the Dark Maiden promising to pay any price.

• Aaron arrived at Elminster's home, where he met Storm Silverhand, Dove Falconhand, and Florin Falconhand while Aegir amused the company.
• Elminster told Aaron that Eilistraee was waiting upstairs, so Aaron went to meet the Dark Maiden.
• Eilistraee explained that Lolth planned to ascend to greater godhood and that Nastya was the only person who could reach her through House Baenre's defenses.
• Eilistraee revealed that Nastya had rejected her and asked Aaron for help, insisting she would not abandon her plan to oppose Lolth.
• Aaron asked how Eilistraee would repay him if he agreed to help, and she promised to pay any price.

Aaron questioned Eilistraee about her plan to defeat Lolth and exposed how little support or military strength she could offer. He agreed they had reason to cooperate, then proposed that Eilistraee become his subordinate deity as compensation.

• Aaron explained that Eilistraee's claim to the Drow and the Underdark could legitimize his campaign against Lolth.
• Aaron asked Eilistraee to seek support from Corellon and the other elven gods, and she agreed to try.
• Eilistraee said Aaron could do whatever he wished to Menzoberranzan and other Drow cities as long as he offered them a chance to surrender.
• Eilistraee revealed she had only a few hundred loyal Drow warriors and a Crescent Blade, and Aaron warned that her plan would fail without allies in the Underdark pantheon.
• Eilistraee urged Aaron to help her defeat Lolth, and he agreed to discuss compensation after she offered him anything he wanted.
• Aaron asked whether Eilistraee had considered becoming his subordinate deity, leaving her stunned.

Aaron secured Eilistraee’s oath-bound alliance by promising to help free her people from Lolth and arrange a future for them. He then sought the support of Elminster and the Seven Sisters for his war against the Zhentarim, Bane, and Cyric, but Elminster made their aid conditional on Aaron supporting the elves’ campaign to reclaim Myth Drannor.

• Aaron demanded compensation and a future alliance with Eilistraee in exchange for helping her defeat Lolth and protect her sworn drow.
• Eilistraee agreed to Aaron’s terms, and St. Cuthbert witnessed their contract under the Primordial Pact.
• Eilistraee reminded Aaron of his promise before leaving, and Aaron asked her to apologize to Nastya.
• Aaron outlined the threat from the Zhentarim, Cyric, and Bane to Elminster, Storm Silverhand, Dove Falconhand, Florin Falconhand, and the others.
• Elminster warned Aaron that the Moonsea’s enemies could attract powerful allies and offered support if Aaron aided the elven effort to reclaim Myth Drannor.

Aaron prepared for war against the Zhentarim while Elminster and Khelben debated whether to support him, fearing the power Aaron might gain. At the chapter’s end, Aaron summoned the Chaos Gods to join the conflict, but Slaanesh refused to take part.

• Elminster warned Khelben that backing Aaron could replace the Zhentarim with a more dangerous power, and proposed negotiating limits on Aaron’s rule in the Moonsea.
• Aaron ordered Titch to lead three thousand men to raid Zambia’s coastal ports and free the slaves while Zambia’s army was away.
• Aaron told Eleanor and Halfdan that the conflict’s divine alliances were taking shape, then challenged Halfdan to consider why Aaron had made his father king and appointed him commander.
• Aaron returned to Dagger Falls and found a vast coalition of soldiers, paladins, dragons, mercenaries, and other forces gathered in his camp.
• Aaron summoned the Chaos Gods to prepare for war; Khorne, Tzeentch, and Nurgle offered their forces, while Slaanesh declined to participate.

Aaron gathered a vast coalition in Dagger Falls for a holy war against the Zhentarim as more allies arrived. Rogal Dorn returned with Orpheus and The Monarch, warning that Perturabo had joined the opposing side and confirming that Lorgar was also present.

• Slaanesh obsessively painted and sang about Pale Night while Aaron spoke with the Chaos Gods, and Khorne revealed that Gruumsh intended to join the war.
• Aaron returned to Dagger Falls, where forces from Waterdeep, Calimshan, Amn, Neverwinter, the High Forest, and Elturel joined the Western Army.
• Robert told Aaron that Baldur's Gate had sent no troops, but the Shadow Thieves had joined their side and Abdel and Sarevok were expected in camp.
• Orpheus reunited with Voss after The Monarch and Rogal Dorn rescued him from his Astral Plane prison, and Orpheus introduced the astral mage Thompson.
• Dorn told Aaron he had come to confront Perturabo, who had joined the enemy, and confirmed Aaron's suspicion that Lorgar was there too.

Cyric prepared Zhentil Keep’s forces for a decisive battle against Aaron’s advancing army, while Manshoon and Selura decided to seek aid from Fuzor despite the danger of defying Cyric. In the Endless Wilderness, Shar offered Cyric reinforcements from the Shadowfell in exchange for an as-yet-unrevealed price.

• Cyric rebuked Manshoon over setbacks in Amn and the Western Army’s approach, then assigned Manshoon, Selura, and Echixino their military duties.
• Manshoon and Selura discussed Cyric’s distrust and chose to contact Fuzor for help, with Manshoon accepting responsibility.
• Shar appeared before Cyric and offered to send him an army of flying cities from the Shadowfell for a price.

Cyric agreed to consider giving Shar Lyla’s Illusion portfolio in exchange for her military support, then welcomed emissaries bearing gifts after remembering the Cyrinishad. At the Western Army’s camp, Khelben arrived and privately told Aaron he planned to withdraw Moonstar from the Harpers and part ways with Elminster and the others.

• Cyric accepted Shar’s offer to send Shade Enclave into the war, provided he saw her Flying City on the battlefield, and agreed to consider transferring Lyla’s Illusion portfolio.
• Jergal told Cyric that Bolt Firelocks and armored half-demons had arrived with gifts, and Cyric ordered them admitted after deciding the Cyrinishad would make them worship him.
• Rockefeller led more than four thousand Crusaders into Aaron’s camp, bringing the Western Army’s gathering to over one hundred thousand troops.
• Aaron welcomed Khelben and Lyla Silverhand to the camp and led Khelben into a private chamber.
• Khelben told Aaron he intended to take Moonstar out of the Harpers and part ways with Elminster and the others.

Khelben Blackstaff asked Aaron to broker peace between the Harpers and Zhentarim, and Aaron accepted Fuzor's terms with one reservation about Moonsea lands. At the Western Army's camp, Shar arrived in Mysty Tanshul's guise and gathered allies to confront Selûne, leaving Eleanor under threat.

• Khelben Blackstaff told Aaron that Fey'ri forces and Xvim's dark army planned to enter the war, then shared Fuzor's proposal for peace.
• Khelben asked Aaron to help end the Harper-Zhentarim struggle, and Aaron accepted most of Fuzor's conditions while leaving Moonsea lands to his allies.
• Mysty Tanshul arrived at the Western Army's camp with a letter from Nastya and asked to see Aaron.
• Shar revealed herself to Selûne, who was possessing Eleanor, and argued that the war must remain a mortal conflict.
• Shar summoned Nastya, Mysty, and Charlotte, then Aegir joined them, leaving Selûne outnumbered.
• Shar and her allies approached Selûne, and Shar said she would keep her quiet for a while.

Aaron concluded a secret deal with Shar, who warned him that Cyric planned to use the Cyrinishad against him. He rallied the Western Army to destroy the Zhentarim, while the Eastern Army gathered at Zhentil Keep.

• Shar told Aaron that Cyric had completed the Cyrinishad and planned to use it against him, and she struck a secret deal with him for a countermeasure and a share of the spoils.
• Charlotte and Nastya arrived with news that the Baldur's Gate Three Siblings had come, and Aaron prepared to go to war despite Eleanor's confused protests.
• At Dagger Falls, Aaron declared the campaign against the Zhentarim a righteous operation and promised the Western Army's allies the Moonsea's lands after victory.
• Aaron introduced the Western Army's leaders and allied forces, including Elminster, Khelben, the Baldur's Gate Three Siblings, and the Platinum Knights.
• At Zhentil Keep, Gruumsh's ork army gathered as the Eastern Army mustered.