At last they came into the heart of the Castle of Ice, but found only chaos. Cai's squad, along with the Helknights who had first found Hranek Noll, had turned and, in a final attempt to comply with the Genetics Master's wishes, had engaged the Ice Elves and Tuatha de Dannan as well as Ashurok's own guards. The Company fought their way into the Maelstrom's Hall and formed a blockade against all who may attempt to stop them. Even as they did, a lone Ice Elf came dashing into the Hall to announce that Gil forces were using Warpstone to defeat Hranek Noll's main defence (anyone attacking the keep found themselves unable to stand without slipping - a powerful magic indeed). The party handed the Fallen Servitor his prize of 'the severed head of Etrigan' and, as quickly as it was received, it was given again - to Etrigan's brother and killer, Har, who in accordance with some secret former deal surrendered a large shaft of spiked metal called the 'Spire of Atlantis' (later it was found that this 'weapon' came from the central Temple of Atlantis). Gil Forces then came into the Hall and the Helknights, Thane, Ice Elves and Tuatha broke off their own struggle to fight the newly arrived enemy, but suddenly all fighting came to a standstill as Deathtouch and Jaquernais (the new body for the fourth Servant, Fane) entered the Hall. With no more ado, Ashurok thrust the spear into the hands of the former Ullratha Telrath and bade him strike down Famine. This he did, and for the first time in this the fifth age a 'Servant of the Enemy' was killed - and that being the spirit and not just the mortal body! Mook and the others then initiated the Maelstrom and as the massive magical shield took form his eye was cast into the heart of the storm, bringing peace to the Islands! It is later reasoned that most of the events had been plotted by Ashurok and aided by the interventions of Har.

The Company of the Maelstrom returned home some two weeks later, but in the meantime having stopped the Gil fleet, the people of the Alliance celebrated into the small hours. It seems as though the party were of a mind that they had failed because for them weeks had passed, but in fact it had been only a few hours and they had won their goal in time. A week passes with no incident and the Alliance starts to regain order to itself. Already shipwrights are preparing a 'New Fleet' in case Pirates or Dozi should sail near the three home islands. As for the Dozi... As the Maelstrom failed to block a handful of Gil ships, as soon as these ships set off to the heart of the Archipelago so the Dozi ships altered course to pursue them!

A party of bold fellows recruited by Trent Took and Freya Stonehand undertook to, if not destroy, then at least ripple the power of the renegade Wizard who had taken upon himself the ancient title/name of Ador. Although it finally fell to the Apotheosis Moridae to intervene and save the party, they were in part successful and managed to destroy a 'keystone', one of the focii of the Rebel. Eventually though, even Hawley Smoot and Gaunt of Bëor had to retreat before a large company of Rocarl Order of Midnight warriors! For now Ador's meddling with the Elemental powers is over - but he is far from dead or defeated, his last words being ones of challenge to Took and Stephen Belforet, the Masters of Nin and Galzar!

Meanwhile, another group pursuing the source of an extra-planar disturbance found themselves in the land of the True Game, chasing a large group of humans who spoke no common and attacked them without cause, kidnapping Charles Winter and Sekai. It was noted early on that these strange Tribals wore upon their brows varied but similar symbols to the 'Seal of Law', of which Sekai and Winter were both members! After a brief fight with some Evil Gamesmen, the Party managed to rescue their Templar Ally, but the Scout had gone. The chase continued and Grundy was killed by evil Gamesmen. Eventually the entire group, now without Winter or James the Atlantean, who had both perished in conflict with an Afrit, were captured by Huldain, a Basilisk. Imaggery agreed to exchange them for prisoners he held, but in exchange they should go and drive off the Invaders! The Party agreed, but when they at last came upon their quarry they found Sekai in amicable concord with them. The Darkendari Houselord introduced Sequenenrho, whom he claimed had founded the first Order of Law in Ancient Atlantis and now travelled the world to gather as many of the scattered Orders as he could. Things became confused when Imaggery apparently took it upon himself to destroy all Outlanders. A large battle ensued and eventually the party fled, leaving Sequenenrho to be slaughtered... Finally, Sekai persuaded Blake, Telrath and many others, along with the original Order of Law Seven, to return to rescue their millennia-lived Grand Master. This they finally succeeded in doing and brought Sequenen back to New Avmar.

After the Maelstrom was initialised, it was discovered that the Gil Fleet, still having over 100 ships, immediately (obviously-counter plans had been set before) turned towards Dusk Island. There, afeared of their failure, many Gil captains beached their ships to land their troops more quickly - as is well known, those that fail the Gil need not bother to return, but may yet save their children by acts of foolish abandon. The Erith-Thane of Dusk Island were said to number near a thousand; along with these stood the Elcarys (who cannot be seen by Servant of the Enemy nor any Evil Beast, unless they themselves should attack first), Bad Company (commanderless still) and the Towan and Shantun Monks, and finally the formidable White Guard. Despite these mostly superior forces, the Gil ships had over 40,000 troops supported by the deadly Dos Fiad and the sorcerous Khalan Kor. The battle raged all night. At last a few Gil Captains, who optimistically rated their chances of plea bargain with their distant master, turned their ships home. The Dusk Island army that had driven off the Gil once before at Thimblek's Wall had won again, but only later did it become apparent that with 67% realised casualties and another 21% missing - including Duran Dusk himself - the Island would fall under any second onslaught. Only a handful of its military as yet remained combat ready, the rest were civilians. Even Bad Company had suffered a third of its number to the death including Sentinels! The people of the Alliance offered sanctuary, but it soon became obvious, as York Bannon and Severin Aymer were quick to point, out that the Dusk Island population were very different from the people and needed their own space. Kyrie-Sumunai Island, now titled 'Evenstar's Home' in honour of the great-grandmother of the Kyrie Dynasty, was not ready nor was it suitable for the surviving Towans and Shan-Tuns. Ships, as soon as they had been built, were therefore despatched to find a New Island, and it was during such a mission that another Dark Foe was uncovered in the Island; but this time there was to be a twist in the tale and something of a concord...

Another mission hired by the newly-met Topaz ends in failure and Peter Villa as well as others are corrupted by the touch of Warpstone Golems. Druscarin, now having reincarnated his fallen comrades, is slain as he stands undefended by the Warriors of his Company.

While exploring an Isle, a group of Adventurers (some of them new to the role of Merchant-Adventurer) discovered a suitable site for a secondary Dusk Island. Having contacted a large pirate base on the west coast they were informed of a smaller band of Pirates on the opposing coast. Having signed a non-aggression treaty with the first group and therefore accepting them as Alliance Allies, the Party set off to contact the second group - although the Dusk Island Refugees would now not want this Island, any allies for the Alliance were worth the effort. Arriving over on the other side of the Island, the group found many Pirates dead at a guard post except one young boy who had been driven quite mad by what he had seen, describing men-beasts. Many in the group speculated that Lycanthropes may have attacked; others still made more accurate guesses but kept their thoughts to themselves. Finding the main base, which was then attacked by strange-helmed Warriors in the black and green livery of the Dark Dreaming God, the party recalled the words Hugh Kelsey had spoken prior to his death concerning another fleet that had entered the Archipelago. After an attempt to recall all his men from the various Guard Posts, the Captain - a man named Dante - advised the party they should make a run for the ship anchored not a league away. On the way, they found themselves fighting a Dozi War Party that had landed. The defeat turned to despair as, reaching the river where the ship should have been anchored, the Party found the ship gone and in its place a Weirdling commanding a group of Ra-men and helmeted Warriors, now revealed as Enforcers and also called Gol Gorothu (obviously from their own tongue; the translation unknown). The Weirdling revealed that a large fleet had been assembled by the Weird Lords and sent out to find the Archipelago and destroy all that they found once they arrived. The Dark Dreaming fleet had also been caught as the Maelstrom had activated and most of their ships were destroyed in the upheaval. Their leader had been killed, and so this Weirdling called Tal-Zash-Khar had assumed command with the backing of the other Weirdlings on the mission. Tal-Zash-Khar now claimed that the dimension-shifting (they had been witnessed doing it earlier in the mission) Gol Gorothu still numbered a few hundred and so the Alliance had a choice: declare a non-aggression treaty and gain help from them in hunting the Gil Forces who had slipped through just prior to the Maelstrom, or face another deadly foe. Tal-Zash-Khar despatched five of the party back to carry the message. The next day a return party attempted to take the Alliance answer: details were to be negotiated, but yes - the Refugees would hold a Concord with the Chaotic Servants of the Dark Dreaming God, at least for now! On that mission, Jax of the Erith-Gyr was slain by Dozi (later driven off by a Party/Ra-man/Enforcer counter attack); to bind the deal, Tal-Zash-Khar demanded the body of Jax, whom he raised up as a Ra-man! Yet another mission later found that the hated Drowh had also attempted to run from the Gil, although it was once thought that many of them had allied with Errolfini (although knowing the Drowh they probably had, and then been in their turn double-crossed by the Master of Deceit!). Later on that evening, a Drowh Leader approached the High Table and asked for food in return for a peaceful coexistence. Initially, the Eilindainian Alliance vowed to destroy the Drowh at whatever cost, but later reconsidered. Styk withheld the Table decision until later.

AT HIGH TABLE THAT NIGHT: There followed a number of trials most of which moved quickly to deeper overtones. Even as Gaunt of House Bëor executed the guilty Ashale Carnage for the murder of the then-resurrected Ice Elf Prince Regent, a number of Servants of the Ashale Ammo attacked, killing the Regent Ladril for a final time and nearly killing Gaunt. No sooner had Styk sung happy birthday to Little Frank than the King's Lawyer expired on the spot. The trial of some young Cry Freedom operatives exploded into pitch battle until Blake finally managed to restore order to the proceedings.

Meanwhile, this particular High Table was graced by Harton Maldir, Kyot, Blake and Hawley Smoot all eager to plead their two minutes of political propaganda with the upcoming Election commencing the next day. Cornelle of House Kyrie-Sumunai's case was quickly dismissed by Cumhal when no-one came forward to testify against his actions against a member of the Drummer Cult. Mook of Edain was then brought forward to answer charges put forward by some local Villagers concerning abduction and murder. The case was left pending until the court could be reconvened - eye witnesses report that Mook's defence was far from full and convincing... It was also reported that Jax and an unknown Edain Warrior had perished that day in the Dark Dreams Rescue mission, as had Chase the Scout in another mission. Also Brad Gadget, Night Goblin, and Siff of the Shevlie nation had failed to return from the mission which had uncovered the Drowh presence. Cythrawl of the Ashale denied his Grand Mastership of the Order and asked that D.E.Pulsifer answer the charges. The High Table denied this defence, pointing out that GM Pulsifer was thought killed during the retreat from Avmar, though no body had been recovered! As if the High Table was not busy enough Stephen's Faerie Symbiot demanded that Innotoul Palhal, Ordos and Cumhal honour their word given nearly half a year before to aid It... The three left through a portal and have not been seen again. As a result the Assassin who attacked Sekai at that High Table was a one-off incident, the Smoot Corporation having for a time called off its vendetta against the Darkendari. Zheer Stonehand enters the High Table to announce he has escaped his tormentors and wishes solace on an Island of his choosing: "None are to approach... I will have nothing that lives... to confound my purpose... except perhaps... Freya." Finally just before a call to close, a projection of the Rune Duke Dignity materialised and reported that Thunderer had been attacked by beasts that could be best described as Sirens and most of the crew beguiled; she demanded the Amoriath set out at once to rescue their besieged King!

It is now 5861 D.R.E. The Alliance, now settled across five new Island Homes, found more time to explore its surrounds and also direct more effort for the return to Avmar, which all desired. News and events turn more slowly now, some good and some not...

With runners sent far and wide, the Elections the next day come as no surprise when the 5 parties (including the Garda National Party) all score substantive votes off the people, the Patriotic Party allied with the Peasant Party coming just ahead of Kyot and Blake. Mr. Smoot and the GNP score quite low, but substantially enough to gain seats in the new 120 seat Parliament. A hung government is formed, its first legislation being that all Evermorian inhabitants of the Islands and those who have remained at home to support Thimblek's Wall are entitled to a vote. Its second act is to outlaw bribery of the voting Constituents, but for now Smoot is allowed to keep his seat and his other eight seated party members are retained. A move is then made to ratify the King's absolute sovereignty over the Evermorian Population, but certain factions draw the debate beyond its allotted time and the subject is left until next sitting. The Parliament changes nothing much except the institution of a formal Militia, but initial finance to this Militia results in it being sorely understaffed. The Drowh of New Sunswallow approach the Government and find their terms accepted; the Eilindainians on the other hand flatly refuse and warn the Drowh that any attempts at incursion by the Drowh will be retaliated against with all the might available to the Eilind Alliance - which then goes on to announce heavy paying contracts for Illusionists and Demonists who will aid them in retaliation. Besides these a large number of Elves sign up and eventually the Elven Government, initially willing to find a peaceful settlement, is pressured into supporting the Eilindainians and banning the Drowh from its Provenance.

Early in Summer, before the long days begin, a large Drowh force later estimated at over two thousand erupts to the night-time surface near First Seat. The Eilindainians, having already spent centuries fighting the psionic Darkendari, are expecting exactly this from the plotting, scheming Drowh. A massive battle ensues and, having successfully trapped a large portion of the Drowh force above ground, Sumunai and other Darkendari D-jumpers are quick to respond to the summons to arms, as are the Soul-projecting Warriors of Edain led to war by Innotoul Pahal and Louis (Mook still imprisoned in New Avmar). Kleetian Heavy Infantry, near breaking the backs of Kamarthian Ponies, are next to arrive, quickly followed by Marnish Snipers and Shinii Swordsmen. The melee is furious and more than a few Eilindainians are caught in impenetrable Drowh Darkness before any Illusionists or Demonists are able to reach them, and have their throats cut open for all their bravery. The Drowh, outgunned and outclassed, attempt a fighting retreat to an entrance to their underground kingdom, but the Alliance has one last surprise: all knew they had come to the Island seeking Sanctuary from the Inquisition, though they had not as yet been seen on any of the previous Alliance Battlefields, but now with shimmering air waves signalling their materialisation hundreds of Kadichi Warrior now came to block the retreat. The most feared Warrior Assassin Race in the known world decimated the Drowh, in a trap the prey itself would have been proud of.

Some few dozen Drowh are thought to have escaped, including the Prince who led the attack, Kuranash SongSlayer (from the Blood Crescent who, having been allied in aeons past to the Malimorh, still took similar names amongst their nobility). The men of Eilind licked their wounds - two hundred dead and twice as many again injured - then a second swift battle ensued as Kadichi Scouts and Darkendari Psi-Scouts, shielded by Perpetual light spells, 'Ported into the caverns below carrying heavily packed Marnish explosives. A great many of these fellows gave their lives in what could so easily turn into a suicide mission, but many more Drowh perished and all the entrances (or so it is thought) from New Sunswallow under Tal-Anum were sealed. The Drowh have never since attacked Tal-Anum - but to their continuing feud with the Elves later!

With the message of Dignity still ringing in their ears, all the Amoriath save Tristran command the making of a ship to carry them to Thunderer (attempts to resummon 'The Lord of Gates' after the Election High table fail for reasons still unknown). Many of the Aspirant Amoriath and those who wish to gain status volunteer to go aboard the ship. With all aboard, including Pirate Sailors of the finest ability, the crew number 212 and is ready by the time of high summer. In a massive ceremony in front of the bulk of the population of New Avmar and a good many alliance members, the ship, supported by a small fleet of Marnish Gun Ships, is named the Lightening (in respect for the speed of the mission they wish to now perform) and sails for the Maelstrom wall. Contact continues for six months and then is lost as the ship speeds to where Thunderer is thought likely to be...