Desert of Desolation: The Conclusion

 Now that they have completed all six of the side-quests in the chapels of the crystal cathedral, the characters find themselves transported to the interior of an enormous building. Much exploration ensues, and they find an astonishing treasury together with a perhaps even more valuable library. And it's all in High Melnibonean. After a bit of time and a lot drooling over the possibilities this lot represents, Destiny realizes the group has found the wealth and lore of the Menastrai, so this place holds incalculable possibilities.

Eventually they find themselves in a central chamber with a grand dais that holds a skeletal body - (The) Martek, one presumes. A bit of careful investigation shows that there are five depressions  set into the dais, one at the head, and two each at the feet and hands. They look exactly the right fit for the star gems, so they put them in place. A lattice of super-cool light springs between the gems and coalesces around the body. It is now a whole person, and sits upright. It is also someone they have met before, when the Dark was rising.

"I've just been speaking with you lot," says Zotaquaan of the Balance. He looks around. "Hmmm, this place really does not look familiar." The group fills him in and everyone begins to realize what is going on, especially when Destiny shows him the special book they found with a retinal pattern reader. It works for Zotaquaan. He scans the Contents page quickly:

"This book is entitled The Tome of Time, and I'm apparently the author. The thing is, I haven't written it - yet. It would seem that I am the Martek person you've been looking for; I am something of an architect, you know," he says modestly. "But then you already know that from our meeting in my tower."

Sir Blanque says, "If you haven't written this book yet, and you haven't yet built any of this stuff, then this whole thing is a time loop. Which means you need to go back in time and set it all up in advance - if you know what I mean." Bomilcar rolls his eyes; these time paradoxes can be rather wearing.

Zotaquaan agrees. "We do have one piece of business to take care of - that powerful fire elemental guy who has been bugging you." He turns to Marion: "Would you like to assist in his permanent banishment from this plane? After all, you are carrying the Runestaff and the Red Amulet."

Everyone is teleported back into the desert, where Khalitharius is busy trying to destroy sand. Marion waves the Runestaff at him and Zotaquaan gestures. Khlaitharius disappears - a bit of an anti-climax, really. 

"Now what really interests me about my tomb here is all that Menasatrai stuff you found in it." He raises an eyebrow quizzically at Destiny. She realizes that they are all going to go back in time to the events around the Melnibonean invasion of the eastern realms, and the start of the Dharzi wars. Marion quips, "Maybe we have something to do with that as well?"