At the height of summer, though, Stanzfeld Mansion saw a momentous event - the marriage of Tommy, Paladin of Torm and Akordia, Priestess of Elistraee. It was an emotional moment for many people in the Fallow's Cross Adventurers. Gifts were given to the happy couple, who promised that all the gifts would be used to benefit the poor, needy and less fortunate. The height of the celebrations was to be a marvellous banquet, but suddenly, there was a tremendous explosion and the walls to the gardens of Stanzfeld Mansion vanished in a momentous eruption of magic destruction. Stanzfeld Mansion was under attack!
It was quickly realised that the attack was being pressed by fighters, mages and priest of the Zhentarim! A number of powerful mages attacked the defences, breaching the walls and allowing a strong force of fighters to rush to the attack. Co-ordinating the attack, arriving by teleport onto the roof of Stanzfeld Mansion, was a familiar face - Melissa!
Having failed in her attempt to kill the two priest of Corellon Larethian in the aftermath of the Shrunken Party adventure, she had made her escape and made contact with the forces of the Black Network in Darkhold and having described the riches and defences of Stanzfeld Mansion, was allowed to assist an expeditionary force to attack, giving her a revenge for all the insults she had endured from the group.
The expeditionary force also included several extra-planar creatures, including a Quasit, and a Babu. The battle in the grounds involved most of the group and casualties were heavy - Amberson was killed in a ray of disintegration, which destroyed his lower body. Jax was killed in a magical onslaught. Arkon the telepathic tiger companion of Artemis was killed attacking the Babu, but his sacrifice kept this evil creature busy an forced it to reveal its nature as it had up to that point been masquerading as another human fighter. The archers Hardian and Artemis kept up a withering arrow onslaught; Auran, the flying elf was caught in a fireball, and came crashing to earth his wings aflame. The Stanzfeld Mages, secure in a cordon of fighter-mages poured spell after destructive spell into the midst of the Zhentarim mages and priests, stripping away their defences and punching through their magical protections. Malleus, believing additional help was required, called upon Mystra for help and at almost the same time, a Zhent mage called forth a Marilith to aid them. Mystra sent a Solar in response to Malleus' request. These two implacable enemies faced each other across the raging battlefield.
The stand-off between them was palpable and they agreed that it was not in either of their interests to enter into combat against each other. The two powerful entities left the field, to great relief from all sides. This seemed to turn the tide of battle in the favour of the defenders, but suddenly Stanzfeld Mansion itself was rocked by a series of explosions from underground. It was later discovered that some of the Zhent mages had helped themselves to the choicest its of party treasure and then set off fireballs and other destructive spells to wreck the remaining items.
The fighters, led by Tommy, the Brig, Relg and Dustar were cutting their way through the ranks of the Zhentarim fighters and came upon the Babu just as it dispatched the noble Arkon. It did not survive the onslaught for very long. In the end, the last fighters were destroyed and the few remaining mages made their escape. Stanzfeld Mansion had survived but only just! In the last moments of the battle, a scuffle was observed on the roof and Melissa's head fell to the ground as the other leaders, gathered on the roof made their escape.
Stanzfeld Mansion itself was ablaze, but there was enough magic left for the mages to control the flames and keep the damage to a minimum. Malleus expended the remaining charges in his Rod of Resurrection bringing Amberson back to life, but the other casualties were beyond help. Once the rush of battle had quietened down, several questions were asked as to why Marie was not here to help with the defence of their home. All assumed she had got off lightly - little did they know!