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Clad in gleaming plate armor decorated with symbols to her god, Gwendonline the paladin advanced upon the dark gate. She made but one step before a desperate cry caused her to stop.

"Gwen!" The voice pleaded. "Wait!"

Gwen spun around, snarling beneath her plate helm. A diminutive woman wearing dark purple robes whom she knew as Demara stood before her, pale faced and wide eyed. Behind Demara stood six other individuals: a knight who looked on with concern at the pair, an elf who stared down at his wolf with bemusement, a robed dwarf and a leather-clad man who argued with each other, a young man in minstrel's clothes who paid close attention to the conversation, and an armed woman garbed in furs and leather who scarcely paid attention to anyone.

"We've already waited enough, witch," Gwen said, spitting out the word. "You are lucky if your lover is dead."

"Dead?" Demara said, shaking her head, her face hardening. "He succeeded in some way. I'm sure he's retreated somewhere in the lair and is regaining his strength so that he may return to us."

"If he could leave so easily why could he not return in much the same way,witch?"

Demara's face contorted. She raised a hand, a small blue flame bursting to life in her palm as she advanced on the paladin. Beneath her helm Gwen smiled, her hand already going to her sword. Before anything could occur, however, the knight Leof stepped between the two.

"Stop!" He pleaded. He looked to the paladin. "Is not patience a virtue, paladin? Why can we not wait ten minutes longer?"

"Because then Zenir may live ten minutes more," Sylvar the elf said, stepping forward, his faithful wolf following behind him. "Ten minutes more for him to inflict suffering upon others."

"Ha!" The dwarf Tomor laughed, halting his argument with the rogue. "Ye think we can reach the dark wizard in ten minutes? We can't just teleport there like the lass's fiance." He pointed a stubby finger at the dark gate. "We have to get through his lair first."

"My point remains the same, dwarf," Sylvar smirked. "The paladin has the right initiative. We can wait no longer. I will follow her even if none of you others will."

"I will too!" The minstrel Giles piped up.

"And I," the rogue Faizu said.

Even the otherwise silent barbarian woman Njora nodded. Gwen smirked, pushing Leof aside as she stared down at Demara.

"That is five of us, witch," Gwen said. "The majority will go, because the majority believe your brash boyfriend failed."

"If he failed," Demara said. "Then how can you think to succeed?"

Leof nodded, arm twitching nervously as he scratched at his neck.

"Yes," the knight said. "This all seems so familiar..."

"Because it is," a new ghastly voice spoke, not belonging to one of the eight. Silence fell over the party as a green, incandescence sparked into being between the witch and paladin. It grew from a small glow into a floating, vaguely man-shaped figure that possessed two smoldering red eyes. When it turned to Gwen, the paladin stepped back, drew her sword, and pointed it at the specter.

"Come no closer, spirit," Gwen warned. "Lest I must smite you!"

"You cannot harm me," the specter chuckled, it's laughter a haunting echo. "I am part of this place. Like you, I came here with others with the intent to topple Zenir of the Dark. We failed. We were unprepared and we paid for it. My companions were twisted by his foul magic, reshaped into forms that amused him or were useful or both. I was fortunate. I died."

"And yet you speak to us still!"

"Yes," the specter replied, luminous eyes bobbing momentarily. "My rage sustained me then and it sustains me now in this awful existence. I have waited so long, so, so long for a worthy group to come to his domain and challenge him, a group I might provide aid and information to so that they may succeed where I failed."

"Help?" Gwen blinked. "From an--"

"We will gladly take your assistance, spirit," Demara said. "At least until we find Norros. What is your name?"

"Call me..." the specter hummed. "Jackal."

"No!" Gwen said, shaking her head at Demara. "I lead this group, witch, I determine--"

"Norros lead us," Demara replied. "And he would have worked with Jackal if he were here."

"Precisely!" Tomor said. "If he were here."

Demara shot the dwarf a look of disdain.

"What?" Tomor shrugged. "You have no more right to lead us than the paladin, lass. If anyone should lead, it should be me! I know Norros and magic in ways different than you and am an expert on Zenir's magic--"

"An expert?" Sylvar sneered. "Is this firsthand, dwarf, or something you read in a book?" "Now listen here, elf--"

"SILENCE!" Jackal boomed. When silence reigned once more, the specter continued: "Your squabble harms your cause. You must be united if you wish to stand a chance against Zenir. One does not have to lead all, but cooperation is key here."

"Yes!" Giles said. "We will be like the Five--"

"Silence, brother," Gwen snapped. "None of your prattle now."

Giles nodded woefully and fell silent.

"There are many challenges ahead of all of you," Jackal said. "What lays beyond this gate defies what you expect. The paths to Zenir himself is one of many worlds and planes. I will guide you down the safest of these places, but the risk will still be immense. It is certain some of you will not survive as you are now."

"Yes..." Leof shivered. "Yes..."

"Let me tell you of the first two obstacles now," the specter said. "The first is a vast meadow of no light and no sky, a place of eternal night. One of you will have to lead here with either magic or conviction that shines bright. Be prepared, for the shadows conceal creatures worse than you can imagine..." The specter's eyes glowed pure white now. "Beyond the meadow is a temple, once holy, now desecrated. The creatures of the meadow cannot enter, but unholyness already lies within. To move from that place to the next, you must reach the altar where one of you has to pray to whatever god lords over the temple now. Only then can you leave."

"And what is beyond that?" Gwen asked.

"I will tell you if you reach there."

With that, the specter faded away, its glow pervading the area momentarily before winking out. Gwen grimaced, sheathing her sword as she turned to others.

"We can't trust it," she said.

"No," Njora said, nodding and hefting her polearm. "We can't." She raised an eyebrow. "Yet it is more guidance than any of you have."

"Hmph," Gwen grunted. The rest of the party shifted around restlessly, looking to each other as they came to a silent agreement.

"Well then," Demara smiled, folding her arms. "How are we going to do this, leader?"

Gwen turned to the gate.

"I will open the gate," she announced. "Someone will have to light the way and someone will have to pray." "Nice rhyme!" Giles called. "I could use that!"

Gwen shook her head and looked back to the party.

"Who," she muttered. "Who will do what?"

The Cast of Zenir of the Dark: The Party:

Gwendonline, Zealous Paladin: Human female, early 30s. A veteran of a dozen holy wars, Gwendonline has spent much of her life fighting for her religion. Zenir's great evil has caused many of the paladins from her order to fall into darkness, death, or worse fates. Now that she has the opportunity to strike at him, she has taken it and brought her younger brother to keep him out of trouble with the holy and divine law of her land.

Njora, Stalwart Barbarian: Human female, late 30s. A savage fighter who is usually calm and collected. She has great patience, but when it's gone, she can't help but unleash a rage that takes days to die down. She knows none of the other party members save for the rogue who tried to steal from her once.

Giles, Journeyman Bard: Human male, early 20s. A master musician but inexperienced fighter, Giles brings support to the party through his inspiring tunes and versatility in any situation. He is Gwendonline's brother and she is the reason he is not rotting in an Inquisition cell. Naive and too trusting.

Demara, Taken Witch: Human female, late 20s. Norros's fiance. A kindhearted, though ultimately selfish witch. Intent on helping Norros wherever he may go. Is certain that he has not failed in his attempt, but has retreated somewhere in the tower. She is just as determined as Norros to put an end to Zenir once and for all. She knows of Tomor and does not appreciate his critiques. Pays little mind to anyone else save when Gwendonline chides her for her questionable tactics and witchcraft.

Leof, Veteran Knight: Human male, mid 30s. An experienced and well equipped adventurer with many years of fighting and leading others behind him. However, he is troubled by an overwhelming sense of deja vu with anything concerning Zenir.

Tomor, Academic Mage: Dwarven male. Learned at an arcane university. Very little practical combat experience. Selfish, introspective, analyzing, goes off on tangents constantly. Doesn't trust anyone except Njora because she's mostly quiet. Has mutual respect for Norros.

Sylvar, Beastmaster Ranger: Elf male, ???. A master archer and a friend of a wolf whom he has kept alive through the years with nature magics he is adept with. Wants to kill Zenir because of what he did to Sylvar's people. Will do anything to hurt Zenir.

Faizu, Shifty Rogue: Human male, mid 20s, obsessed with fame and fortune in any form. He is an expert in stealth, trapcraft, poisons, and assassination. Knows Giles from times they been in trouble together. Also knows Njora because he stole from her once. Doesn't trust Leof or Gwendonline. Believes killing Zenir will be his way to immortality. Faithless.

Other Characters:

Zenir of the Dark, Scourge of Aleiz, Butcher of Horn River, and Lord of Terror: Human male, ??? years. A skilled mage who takes delight in reshaping his enemies. Highly powerful and dangerous, he has carved out a foul niche in the world. Many hate him but few can stand to oppose him. Has a guard drake familiar named Ward.

Norros, Guard Drake Broodmother (missing): Demara's fiance. Brashly went to fight Zenir alone because he was able to magically trace a teleportation path to him. Paid for his impudence with his body when Zenir turned him into a mate for his familiar, Ward.

Jackal, Vengeful Spirit: ??? Someone who Zenir slew in the past. Its hate has allowed it to retain form in a twisted undead state. It has offered to help the party in its quest to slay Zenir by providing crucial advice for navigating Zenir's lair.