The PC's, unwilling to use the Annulus, first suggest using the Illithid ship they found, to get a strike force on board. The PC's suggest that the strike force is a Githyanki one, since they seem unwilling to get directly involved (they've lost their nerve?). A Githyanki strike force goes on board, but is defeated by the Illithid Proxy. The Githyanki demand the PC's give up the Annulus since that attempt has failed. The PC's suggest that they will go on board and attempt to solve the problem personally.

The PC's go on board the Illithid vessel and defeat the Proxy and damage some strange 'machines'. They realize they must find the Illithid leader, the master Brain, and get the code to stop this ship from working. On their way, they encounter some problems and have some nasty fights. Then, when they've defeated a large wave of Illithid army, they begin to hear a count down in their minds. They flee at the last moment and the ship explodes destroying the Ethereal pocket in a few moments.

The PC's return home to be thanked by the Council of Toril for destroying the Illithid threat. The PC's then declare their plan to take the Annulus and go to Fate's homeland and destroy him. With Kory's information of the Gyshin in her head, they leave for the crystal tree. There they have a nasty fight with a couple Gyshin and some Mantis warriors. They go to the bridge next and jump off of it. Then they pick the portal that Kory says is to Ruktatul. In Ruktatul they travel for some time through nasty land. Very bad images and dreams occur, and then at one point, at a cliff, Mudslide loses it and walks off. He dies, but the party becomes separated, some being at the bottom of the cliff. When the Annulus is at the bottom of the cliff, Fate appears in the camp at top. He causes two more people to jump off the cliff, kills Kendrick, disintegrates Stamps limbs, and Marrienne and Tasha flee. The ones at the bottom, in frustration, are at a loss of what to do. Then Dwarf Vader begins taunting and yelling at Fate, calling him a chicken. He appears and a fight starts, when he seems down, injured, and unable to flee, Wolanin starts to use the Annulus which takes 10 minutes to function. As soon as he begins using it, Fate stands up, suddenly in fine health, smiles, and vanishes. The Annulus goes off 10 minutes later with no affect. Then Fate appears to finish the job. Xej, shouting for the others to run, charges Fate and then at the last moment breaks his god staff. Fate and Xej vanish in a huge ball of pure energy.

The PC's travel across the land which is unpleasant, but no longer a nightmare. They arrive at Fate's castle.

Marrienne finds Xej on Toril, apparently alive after being randomly thrown to the outer planes after the explosion. Xej saves Dwarf Vader and Wolanin though they are unable to retrieve Wolanin's magical items, including the Annulus. The party all make there way back home to a safe camp outside the city of Suzail.

The party, home, begin to learn some disturbing new about what is going on. Olla returns and says Acerack is dead (Acerack betrayed him to the Gyshin, then the Gyshin betrayed Acerack. He resisted, they killed him. Olla was used as a Gyshin agent until he was freed by their destruction.) After deliberation, they decide to go to Suzail and confront Lyorn. They are given a minor fan fair as they enter and guided straight to the castle where part of the council, and Lyorn wait. They tell their story about Fate's death. Lyorn tells them that this must be kept a secret, because if the people find out that the Gyshin are defeated, the armies will disband and they will not be able to retake all of the conquered cities that the brown robes are now running themselves. He asks that the party keep their news a secret, and tell the lie that the Gyshin could return at any moment, so the armies must be kept together. They are undecided and Lyorn gives them a room and time to make a decision. The next morning they return, Stamp becomes himself, and tell him that they can not lie. Lyorn says that's too bad, and then the council disappears, and some evil looking warriors, a priest of Bane, and the red headed woman from 1500 years ago appear. A battle breaks out as Lyorn's treachery is revealed. The party slays Lyorn and the priest, but Shadow the mage, a little Goblin warrior, and the red headed woman all get away. The party takes control of the council.

And so the tail ends as it began. The people from lands afar gather in the court of Cormyr, under the ruling of the Obarskyr family. They gather to celebrate peace. They gather to celebrate the protectors of that peace. New faces mingle with very old faces, and missing ones are remembered. There seems to be a constant growth of nations that come to thank and congratulate those that risk everything for this peace.

Within this sea of people, are those that are being celebrated. They call themselves the Keepers of the Realm. Steven Obarskyr, Thorlin the Minatour, Xej Ismir, Kory Silvermist, Marienne Winters, Tasha, Dwarf Vader, and Wolanin. Others of the group are also celebrated, though their faces are not among the crowd. The immortal Zendrak, Elric, Morgoth Turing and the gem dragon Alarra do not join this mortal party. The list of those who have given their life for this peace is also made, and their sacrifice is respected: Mudslide the mage slayer, Kendrick the Scribe, Gorvagio the Goblin Hero, Mip Sunshod the thief, Janayus Obarskyr - Stamps nephew, Zaaj the Jester- Xej's son, Crane - captain of the guard, Growly the half-orc, Queen the Sorceress, Soren the Paladin, Ozzy the dwarf, Jesus the Paladin, Arvid and Luther.

But this is not the time to be given over to mourning. It is a day for friends and companions to spend together in peace and joy. The time of battle and strife is over, the days of ceremony are done, and today, the celebrations come to an end. It is a bitter sweet ending. To some, the days of adventuring are over, and it is time to return home in search of quieter times, and family. For others, tomorrow brings mystery for they will be saying goodbye to this world and will go looking in others for adventure. Others intend to follow through on some goals and plans of their own.

During the evening the story is told of Lyorn's revealed treachery, and the official disbanding of the council of Toril. Armies are free to return home, or to what home is left. Some will have to fight to regain the land, but they are promised help from those who can offer it. So with the council disbanded in peace with a written document for years of peace and trade, Stamp retook his throne, and began teaching his son in the way of ruling.

The night stretches on and soon all but the closest of friends have turned in. These few sit about enjoying the company of each other, seemingly unwilling to leave the table. Even Thorlin remains, silently sitting with his companions. No one wants to be the first to leave, for tomorrow brings another day, and old friends will be leaving. Candlelight and the quiet voices are heard until the dawn. Finally, in silence, it is realized. The adventure is over. It is a new day, and it brings different roads for all. With a melancholy look, a promise is made. Never forget, and let always remain our friendship. Thorlin speaks now, at the very end: "Friends, I think this will not be the last time that we are all together."