After the scare of almost loosing a party member, Krynn's Vanguard took to the last room where they found a massive skull with a singular, natural looking hole in the center above the massive jaw. Moving closer, it animated with a ghostly glow around it. The creature put up a good fight incapacitating a few of the party members, but with it being undead, it was no match for Arcadius' Holy Avenger. After a swift strike through the eyehole, the Death Tyrant's now inanimate skull slid down the Holy Avenger's blade and fell to the ground after Arcadius withdrew his sword.
The party found yet another secret door that they went through where they found nothing but a plain looking altar at the back of the room. Before even getting into the room they were attacked by a massive beholder who was even more problematic than the Draconic Shard of the Death Tyrant. After some unfortunate luck, Armantaro was killed. After the party defeated the beholder, it was too late to save him.
Meanwhile, while the party was fighting, Armantaro awoke in a room made of white marble with black vein patterns. Exiting two double doors with silver looking knockers he came to a balcony that overlooked a foyer. Two curved staircases on either side led down to five sets of double doors. One at the front, which looked to be an entrance of sorts, two on the left, and two on the right. Entering the first one on the left, he came to a study. A fireplace was lit and burning with two ornate chairs decorated with a mix of copper, brass, bronze, silver, gold, and oddly enough...platinum. There was a figure who sat in the chair, it spoke before Armantaro had a chance. "So...you've arrived. Sooner than expected I must admit. But I'm glad we finally get the chance to talk." The figure stood revealing itself to be a platinum dragonborn. A not often used, but known aspect of the Dragon Father, Paladine.
He and Armantaro spoke and Armantaro made amends with Paladine, accepting his position as one of Paladine's champions. With that, Armantaro awoke, given new life by the Patron Deity of gods of Good.
Investigating the altar, Kyan Covverre used his diving blessings to learn that this was a lost relic known as the Eternal Altar. This altar, given power by Gilian, the God of Knowledge, allowed the party to ask one, singular question, and it would give the answers. Aligning with their quest, they asked where they could find the remaining pieces of the Crest of the Daughters of Paladine. They had 3 of the seven peices, and needed three more. They were told the Piece of Querrasian, could be found in Icereach, the Piece of Haraineer was in Silvanesti, The Piece of Aurora was in the Dragonhead Isles, a location north of Ansalon, and the Shard of Reorx was in Thorbardin.
Armed with this information, the party rested, and left out an alternate enterance they found, which was the other path they could have taken. Leaving the illusionary tree behind, they set out towards Icereach as a Gaseous Form, making a stop at Than-Khal. Upon reaching the area, expecting to find a rebuilt, thriving town and a place to rest, plan, and prepare for their jouney, they were met with the Dragonarmies. Specifically, they encountered a Green Abishai leading five Baaz Draconians who were on patrol. Could their luck be any worse?