Maulkin and his Eternal buddies are on a roll. They're getting stronger, have two of the shards that will help prevent the return of an evil god, and even have a good idea where to find the rest. Maybe Maulkin has taken a month off to hang out with his new elven girlfriend and learn how to swing his giant sword around, but hasn't he earned a holiday? His reluctance to get out there and smack monsters definitely has nothing to do with the evil looking Voidgod powers that he's scared of telling the others about.... Or with Araphel's imminent return.... Or with having to fight a primordial dragon from the dawn of time... Everything is fine. Shut up.