Dawn broke and found the party safe and sound, sleeping at the partially ruined floor of the tower. Deciding to leap into action right away and not wait for
Gallio Elibro they further searched the floor. After Pine was able to detect a whiff of necromancy under the skeleton of the Behir, Siax, Pine and Idris were able to push it a distance and uncover what lay beneath. There was not much beyond a small shaped stone, with carvings in the ancient Elven tongue. Idris, his intellect now restored, was able to decipher it saying "Laynfear my Beloved". Siax realized it was similar to the Sending Stones they had used in the past which prompted Idris's to activate it. Hearing only static he passed it on to Siax who using his keen senses was able to hear a faint echo that sounded like screams and something burning down.
Arya, the one who had been able to breach the barrier of the fourth floor, realized that the tower was likely intended to capture fey creatures such as herself. The whole tower felt ominous knowing it's usage and history. Meanwhile Pine was able to repair the skeleton of Soapworth enough to question the corpse but to his exhaustion it was Siax who lead the interrogation. When asked what happened to the tower Unknown had not seen what had occurred as when the wall where the Mural stood was shamed he had fled to his downstairs chambers. Before he could make it he caught a glimpse of someone called Emberlost. When asked later about who that was he told them that he was a famed knight, a member of the Enclave Of The Evergreen. He was known as a hero and a champion, even described as a demi-god. The party also asked about Laynfear and were told that she was a High Priestess of Merdelain and Thalivar's spouse. This explained the carving on the sending stone and possibly who had had the second one. Further questioning the tiny corpse it was soon apparent that Soapworth had little knowledge on how the tower worked but confided to them that Thalivar had always wanted to visit the other planes and had even been invited back to Soapworth's home plane.
It was then that Gallio Elibro returned, looking quite more rested than ever before, having been away from the tower and Thalivar's clutches. As he explained how the ritual would take place Pine send a quick message to Rhogar Merrygold informing them that the petrified folk would likely be freed soon. The cleric soon answered that he had started gathering volunteers and would be ready. Gallio Elibro explained that one person would need to concentrate in order to shut down the tower. Preparation would take some time so Effie and Idris decided to head downstairs and investigate the remaining portal that was found in the secret room that Effie had discovered.
However, after some experimentation showing the same color changes as the other portals and a tentative entrance by the two, they were launched several thousand feet into the sky. This would have been a near certain death sentence for most but Idris was unbothered as he was able to spread his wings and fly up only seconds from crashing into Leilon. Effie clinging on for dear life was able to see that once the settlers had realized who was dropping from the sky they had pointed with excitement and joy.
With that experience over the two walked back to the tower, discussing that what if the tower had normally had a floor in the heights they were launched or what if a different color would send them downward, to the fabled basement or even to the Underdark. Such experimentation had to wait however as Gallio Elibro had finished the preparations needed for the ritual. The group took many preparations, trusting nothing to chance and the decision was made that Pine would try and conduct the ritual being more hardy than the wizard construct.
The ritual begun....and Thalivar appeared. Still spectral but now of a different countenance that the party had seen. Gone was the bearded mad mage, replaced by a stern warrior, the spectral moonblade flying from the Behir's skull into his hand. Blade pointed at the group he once again commanded them to get out of his tower before charging. He was stopped in his tracks by Effie's magic affecting his mind and Arya summoning a storm cloud above the tower, to strike at him with lighting bolt after lighting bolt. Siax and Idris tried to appeal to the spectre to lay down it's arms, Siax even telling him what Soapworth had told them only he and Thalivar had known which seemed to shake the specter significantly but alas, not enough to dispatch it.
Caught in this barrage of magic and words Thalivar let out a shriek of pain that hurt everyone's ears, even knocking out Arya and Effie. Pine stumbled and almost fell unconscious but with his knowledge of death was able to remain at deaths door. Before the party could recover Thalivar focused energies emanating from the tower on the slain Behir which started animating, spectral flesh covering the bones. It crashed through the defenses raised and struck Pine, interrupting the ritual. Thalivar was slain but the specter would be back momentarily. It was a gruesome fight, with the Behir finally destroyed by a mighty blow from Idris and Thalivar banished by Pine which gave enough time for Gallio Elibro who had taken up the casting after Pine had been knocked away, to try and complete the ritual.
However, the ritual was still incomplete. Struck by inspiration, The Leilon...Some? and Gallio Elibro held hands and all attempted the ritual together. For a moment it looked like even their combined wills would not be enough but Effie was able to manifest magical energy that exceeded what she normally could create. It came with a cost however as even though the ritual was completed and the tower slowly shut down, her hair fell off in large clumps leaving her completely bald. Screams from outside underlined their success at switching the petrification field off as the Aftermath of the Tower came crashing down.
Thus the Planar Beacon, also known as the House of Thalivar fell into it's first slumber for possibly thousands of years. It is this bard's hope that this will prove to be a good thing and that the tower did not serve some purpose...perhaps holding the sky up from falling down? That possibility aside it was this deed that made The Leilon...Some? be considered true heroes by the settlers of Leilon, accomplishing in a few days what many would think impossible. The perfect employers for one such as I, really.