Favorite Summons and Final Thoughts
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Available Summons by CR
Demons
1: Mane (FCI)
2: Abyssal Maw (MMII), Abyssal Skulker (MMII), Dretch (MMI), Nashrou (MMIV), Quasit (MMI)
3: Air Demon (DrC), Carnage Demon (MMV), Gadacro (MMV), Incubus (DrM 353), Maurezhi (FF), Rutterkin (FCI), Wrackspawn (MMIV)
4: Abyssal Eviscerator (MH), Ash Demon (DrC), Ekolid (FCI), Guecubu (FCI), Skulvyn (FF), Water Demon (DrC)
5: Abyssal Ravager (MMII), Bar-lgura (FCI), Cambion (EDP), Earth Demon (DrC), Jovoc (MMII), Nabassu, juvenile (MMII), Skurchur (DrM 333)
6: Artaaglith (GW), Aspect of Zuggtmoy (FCI WE), Babau (MMI), Broodswarm (FCI), Caligrosto (DrM 360), Ice Demon (DrC), Uridezu (MotP)
7: Armanite (FCI), Arrow Demon (MMIII), Aspect of Baphomet (FCI WE), Aspect of Fraz-Urb'luu (FCI WE), Aspect of Pale Night (FCI WE), Fire Demon (DrC), Succubus (MMI)
8: Ankashar (DrM 341), Aspect of Juiblex (FCI WE), Aspect of Malcanthet (FCI WE), Aspect of Pazuzu (FCI WE), Dybbuk (FCI), Palrethee (MMII), Shadow Demon (BoVD), Solamith (MMV), Yochlol (FCI)
9: Aspect of Dagon (FCI WE), Aspect of Demogorgon (FCI WE), Aspect of Orcus (FCI WE), Bulezau (FCI), Carnevus (EDP), Mavawhan (DrM 345), Vrock (MMI), Whisper Demon (MMIV), Zovvut (MMII)
10: Adaru (MMV), Alkilith (FF), Aspect of Kostchtchie (FCI WE), Aspect of Yeenoghu (EDP), Bebilith (MMI), Cataboligne (ERCG), Cerebrilith (XPH), Chasme (FCI), Draudnu (MMV), Laghathti (FCI)
11: Aspect of Graz'zt (EDP), Hezrou (MMI), Kastighur (MMIV), Retriever (MMI), Wastrilith (FF)
12: Aspect of Obox-Ob (EDP), Ghour (LEoF), Lilitu (FCI), Manitou (DrM 359), Turagathshnee (DrM 312), Vathugu (DrM 337)
13: Glabrezu (MMI), Jarilith (MMII), Oculus (EDP)
14: Belairon (ST), Blood Fiend (FF), Kelvezu (MMII), Nalfeshnee (MMI), Verakia (DrM 357)
15: Anzu (DrM 329), Nabassu, mature (FCI), Orlath (ST), Sibriex (FCI)
16: Golothoma (EE), Goristro (FCI), Uzollru (DrM 349)
17: Klurichir (FF), Marilith (MMI), Sorrowsworn Demon (MMIII)
18: Deathdrinker (MMIV), Myrmyxicus (FF)
19: Juiblex (FCI), Molydeus (FCI)
20: Balor (MMI), Baphomet (FCI), Yeenoghu (FCI)
21: Fraz-Urb'luu (FCI), Kostchtchie (FCI), Malcanthet (FCI), Pale Night (FCI), Zuggtmoy (FCI)
22: Dagon (FCI), Graz'zt (FCI), Obox-Ob (FCI), Orcus (FCI), Pazuzu (FCI)
23: Demogorgon (FCI)
Devils
1/2: Kalabon (FCII)
1: Lemure (FCII)
2: Imp (MMII), Imp, filth (FF), Imps of ill humor (DrM 338), Nupperibo (FCII)
3: Advespa (MMII), Imp, bloodbag (FF), Imp, euphoric (FF), Legion Devil (FCII), Sand Devil (DrM 306)
4: Abishai, white (FCII), Glass Devil (DrM 306), Spined Devil (FCII)
5: Abishai, black (FCII), Bearded Devil (MMI), Marrash (MMII), Narzugon (FCII)
6: Abishai, green (FCII), Chain Devil (MMI), Desert Devil (Sand), Gulthir (MMV), Kocrachon (BoVD), Obsidian Devil (DrM 306), Spiked Devil (DrM 306), Steel Devil (FCII)
7: Abishai, blue (FCII), Amnizu (FCII), Coal Devil (DrM 306), Harvester Devil (FCII), Hellcat (MMI), Pain Devil (FCII)
8: Abishai, red (FCII), Erinyes (MMI), Maelephant (FF), Orthon (FCII)
9: Aspect of Bel (FCII WE), Aspect of Fierna (FCII WE), Bone Devil (MMI), Stitched Devil (MMV)
10: Aspect of Belial (FCII WE), Aspect of Dispater (FCII WE), Aspect of Levistus (FCII WE), Aspect of Mammon (FCII WE)
11: Aspect of Baalzebul (FCII WE), Aspect of Glasya (FCII WE), Aspect of Mephistopheles (FCII WE), Assassin Devil (FCII), Barbed Devil (MMI), Death Devil (DrM 353), Death Hurler (DrM 309), Pleasure Devil (FCII)
12: Aspect of Asmodeus (FCII WE), Ayperobos Swarm (FCII)
13: Ice Devil (DrM 306), Lead Devil (DrM 306), Scyllan (Sto)
14: Logokron (TM), Malebranche (FCII)
15: Horned Devil (MMI), Remmanon (MMV), Xerfilstyx (FCII)
16: Ghargatula (BoVD)
17:
18: Paeliryon (FCII)
19: Fierna (FCII)
20: Bel (FCII), Pit Fiend (MMI)
21: Dispater (FCII), Levistus (FCII), Mammon (FCII)
22: Glasya (FCII)
Others
1/2: Skiurid (MMIV), Maeluth (FF), Tiefling (MMI), Wispling (FF)
1: Abrian (FF), Arrow Battleloth (DrM 306), Bladeling (MMII), Frost Dwarf (PH), Githyanki (MMI), Howler Wasp Drone (MMIV), Kaorti (FF), Kython Broodling (BoVD), Windrazor Windblade (MMIV)
2: Axe Battleloth (DrM 306), Baphitaur (Und), Crossbow Battleloth (DrM 306), Demonhive Attendant (MMIV), Demonhive Swarm (MMIV), Fey'ri (MoF), Pick Battleloth, Tanarukk (MoF), Terlen (FF), Vargouille (MMI)
3: Cranial Encyster (DrM 330), Hell Hound (MMI), Howler (MMI), Khaasta (FF), Kython Juvenile (BoVD), Flamebrother Salamander (MMI) Simpathetic (DrM 351), Skeroloth (FF), Spiked Chain Battleloth (DrM 306), Stone Flyer (Und), Sword Battleloth (DrM 306), Yeth Hound (MMI)
4: Barghest (MMI), Myrlochar (MoF), Lesser Nightmare (PH), Reth Dekala (ToB), Urquirsh (DrM 358), Vaath (BoVD), Voor (MMIV), Vorr (FF), Windscythe Windblade (MMIV)
5: Achaierai (MMI), Greater Barghest (MMI), Canoloth (MMIII), Corruptor of Fate (MMIV), Draegloth (DotU), Earth Whisper (RoS), Harakin (FF), Howler Wasp Queen (MMIV), Kython Adult (BoVD), Nightmare (MMI), Rejkar (MMIII), Shadow Eft (CP), Shadow Mastiff (MMI), Tsoreva Quori (MoE)
6: Demonhive Queen (MMIV), Malfera (DrM 343), Mezzoloth (MMIII), Salamander (MMI), Varrangoin (FF), Xill (MMI).
7: Dao (MotP), Ephemeral Hangman (ToM), Gloom Golem (MMIII), Krathbairn (DoF), Naityan Rakshasa (ToB), Ghirrash Shadow Beast (MH), Slasrath (FF), Souleater (MoI), Tsucora Quori (EBCS)
8: Akleu (DrM 348), Echinoloth (Storm), Efreeti (MMI), Kaortic Hulk (DrM 330), Kython Impaler (BoVD), Pack Fiend (PH), Zakya Rakshasa (EBCS), Khumat Shadow Beast (MH), Varrangoin Rager (FF)
9: Abyssal Drake (Drac), Dune Stalker (MMII), Red Ethergaunt (FF), Hashalaq Quori (SoS), Nessian Warhound (MMI), Night Hag (MMI), Piscoloth (FF), Thaskor Shadow Beast (MH), Vaporhigu (MMII), Vultivor (FF)
10: Aspect of Vecna (MH), Darkweaver (FF), Gathra (FF), Marraenoloth (MMII), Mur-Zhagul (UE), Nycaloth, Rakshasa, Noble Salamander (MMI), Shrieking Terror, five-headed (MMIII), Yagnoloth (MMII)
11: Abyssal Giant (EDP), Asag (DrM 334), Aspect of Hextor (MH), Aspect of Kurtulmak (FCII WE), Aspect of Lolth (MH), Farastu Demodand (FF), Dream Master Quori (MoE), Du'ulora Quori (SoS), Kyra (DrM 338), Kython Slaymaster (BoVD), Lamia Noble (EDP), Mivilorn (MMIII), Cauchemar Nightmare (MMI), Phiuhl (FF), Radiant Idol (Sharn), Naztharune Rakshasa (MMIII), Shadurakal (FF), Umbral Gloom (DrM 353), Varrangoin Arcanist (FF)
12: Aspect of Nerull (MH), Astral Stalker (MMIII), Earth Glider (Und), Envoy of Lolth (EDP), Ethereal Slayer (MMII), Greater Abyssal Basilisk (MMI)
13: Aspect of Sekolah (FCII WE), Aspect of Tiamat (DM), Death Slaad (MMI), Kelubar Demodand (FF), Ember Guard (MMV), White Ethergaunt (FF), Hellchain Weaver (DrM 343), Kython Slaughterking (BoVD), Shrieking Terror, ten-headed (MMIII), Steel Predator (FF), Ultroloth (MMIII)
14: Black Beast of Bedlam (DrM 355), Laraken (ShS), Odopi (MMIII), Rukarazyll (MMII), Steelwing (MMV)
15: Shator Demodand (FF), Phantasmal Slayer (HoH), Ak'chazar Rakshasa (MMIII)
16: Ethereal Defiler (MMV)
17: Arcanoloth (MMII), Black Ethergaunt (FF)
18: Spirrax (MMV)
19: Chronotyryn (FF), Marruspawn Abomination (Sand)
20: Daelkyr (EBCS), Kalaraq Quori (SoS)
Available Summons by Summon Monster Level
I: Maeluth (FF), Skiurid (MMIV), Tiefling (MMI), Wispling (FF).
II: Abrian (FF), Abyssal Skulker (MMII), Arrow Battleloth (DrM 306), Bladeling (MMII), Frost Dwarf (PH), Githyanki (MMI), Kaorti (FF), Kython Broodling (BoVD), Howler Wasp Drone (MMIV), Lemure (FCII), Mane (FCI).
III: Abyssal Maw (MMII), Axe Battleloth (DrM 306), Baphitaur (Und), Crossbow Battleloth (DrM 306), Demonet Swarm (MMIV), Demonhive Attendant (MMIV), Dretch (MMI), Fey'ri (MoF), Hell Hound (MMI), Imp (MMI), Kalabon (FCII), Khaasta (FF), Nashrou (MMIV), Nupperibo (FCII), Pick Battleloth (DrM 306), Quasit (MMI), Tanarukk (MoF), Terlen (FF), Vargouille (MMI), Windrazor (MMIV).
IV: Abishai, white (FCII), Abyssal Ravager (MMII), Advespa (MMII), Air Demon (DrC), Carnage Demon (MMV), Cranial Encyster (DrM 330), Gadacro (MMV) , Howler (MMI), Imp, bloodbag, euphoric, and filth (FF), Imps of ill humor (DrM 33), Incubus (DrM 353), Kython Juvenile (BoVD), Legion Devil (FCII, Lesser Nightmare (PH), Rutterkin (FCI), Flamebrother Salamander (MMI), Sand Devil (DrM 306), Simpathetic (DrM 351), Skereloth (FF), Skulvyn (FF), Skurchur (DrM 333), Spiked Chain Battleloth (DrM 306), Spined Devil (FCII), Stone Flyer (Und), Sword Battleloth (DrM 306), Voor (MMIV), Vorr (BoVD), Windscythe (MMIV), Wrackspawn (MMIV), Yeth Hound (MMI).
V: Abishai, black(FCII), Abyssal Eviscerator (MH), Achaierai (MMI), Ash Demon (DrC), Barghest (MMI) Bar-lgura (FCI), Bearded Devil (MMI), Cambion (EDP), Canoloth (MMIV), Draegloth (DotU), Earth Demon (DrC), Earth Whisper (RoS), Ekolid (FCI), Glass Devil (DrM 306), Guecubu (FCI), Harakin (FF) Howler Wasp Queen (MMIV), Jovoc (MMII), Kython Adult (BoVD), Maurezhi (FF), Myrlochar (MoF), Nabassu, juvenile (FCI), Narzugon (FCII), Nightmare (MMII), Quori, Tsoreva (MoE), Rejkar (MMIII), Reth Dekala (ToB), Shadow Eft (CP), Shadow Mastiff (MMI), Urquirsh (DrM 358), Vaath (BoVD), Water Demon (DrC).
VI: Abishai, green (FCII), Amnizu (FCII), Artaaglith (GW), Barghest, greater (MMI) Broodswarm (FCI), Caligrosto (DrM 360), Chain Devil (DrM 306), Coal Devil (DrM 306), Corrupter of Fate (MMIV), Demonhive Queen (MMIV), Desert Devil (Sand), Fire Demon (DrC), Ghirrash (MH), Gulthir (MMV), Ice Demon (DrC), Kocrachon (BoVD), Krathbairn (DoF), Malfera (DrM 343), Mezzoloth (MMIII), Obsidian Devil (DrM 306), Pain Devil (FCII), Quori, Tsucora (EBCS), Naityan Rakshasa (ToB), Salamander (MMI), Spiked Devil (FCII), Uridezu (MotP), Varrangoin (FF), Xill (MMI).
VII: Abishai, blue (FCII), Akleu (DrM 348), Armanite (FCI), Arrow Demon (MMIII), Aspect of Baphomet (FCI WE), Aspect of Fraz-Urb'luu (FCI WE), Aspect of Juiblex (FCI WE), Aspect of Malcanthet (FCI WE), Aspect of Pale Night (FCI WE), Aspect of Zuggtmoy (FCI WE), Babau (MMI), Bone Devil (MMI), Dybbuk (FCI), Ephemeral Hangman (ToM), Erinyes (MMI), Genie, Dao (MMI), Gloom Golem (MMIII), Harvester Devil (FCII), Kaortic Hulk (DrM 330), Khumat (MH), Kython Impaler (BoVD), Pack Fiend (MotP), Palrethee (MMII), Piscoloth (FF), Zakya Rakshasa (EBCS), Shadow Demon (BoVD), Slasrath (FF), Souleater (MoI), Steel Devil (FCII), Succubus (MMI), Varrangoin Rager (FF), Yochlol (FCI).
VIII: Abishai, red (FCII), Abyssal Drake (Drac), Alkilith (FF), Ankashar (DrM 341), Aspect of Bel (FCII WE), Aspect of Belial (FCII WE), Aspect of Dagon (FCI WE), Aspect of Demogorgon (FCI WE), Aspect of Dispater (FCII WE), Aspect of Fierna (FCII WE), Aspect of Kostchtchie (FC I WE), Aspect of Levistus (FCII WE), Aspect of Mammon (FCII WE), Aspect of Orcus (FCI WE), Aspect of Pazuzu (FCI WE), Aspect of Vecna (MH), Aspect of Yeenoghu (EDP), Bulezau (FCI), Carnveus (EDP), Cataboligne (ERCG), Cerebrilith (XPH), Chasme (FCI), Darkweaver (FF), Draudnu (FCI), Dune Stalker (MMII), Echinoloth (Storm), Ethergaunt, red (FF), Gathra (FF), Hellcat (MMI), Genie (efreet), Kython Slaymaster (BoVD), Laghathti (FCI WE), Maelephant (FF), Marraenoloth (MMII), Mavawhan (DrM 345), Mur-Zhagul (UE), Nessian Warhound (MMI) Nycaloth (MMIII), Orthon (FCII), Quori, Hashalaq (SoS), Rakshasa (MMI), Noble Salamander (MMI), Shrieking Terror, five-headed (MMIII), Solamith (MMV), Stitched Devil (MMV), Thaskor (MH), Vaporighu (MMII), Vrock (MMI), Vultivor (FF) Whisper Demon (MMIV), Yagnoloth (MMII), Zovvut (MMII).
IX: Abyssal Giant (EDP), Adaru (MMV), Asag (DrM 334), Aspect of Asmodeus (FCII WE), Aspect of Baalzebul (FCII WE), Aspect of Glasya (FCII WE), Aspect of Graz'zt (EDP), Aspect of Hextor (MH), Aspect of Kurtulmak (FCII WE), Aspect of Lolth (MH), Aspect of Mephistopheles (FCII WE), Aspect of Nerull (MH), Aspect of Obox-Ob (EDP), Aspect of Sekolah (FCII WE), Aspect of Tiamat (DM), Assassin Devil (FCII), Astral Stalker (MMIII), Ayperobos Swarm (FCII), Barbed Devil (MMI), Basilisk, greater Abyssal (MMI), Bebilith (MMI), Belairon (ST), Death Devil (DrM 353), Death Hurler (DrM 309), Death Slaad (MMI), Demodand, farastu (FF), Earth Glider (Und), Ember Guard (MMV), Envoy of Lolth (EDP), Ethereal Slayer (MMII), Ethergaunt, white (FF), Ghour (LEoF), Glabrezu (MMI), Hellchain Weaver (DrM 343), Hezrou (MMI), Ice Devil (MMI), Jarilith (MMII), Kastighur (MMIV), Kyra (DrM 348), Kython Slaughterking (FF), Lamia Noble (EDP), Lead Devil (DrM 306), Lilitu (FCI), Manitou (DrM 359), Mivilorn (MMIII), Nightmare, cauchemar (MMI), Night Hag (MMI), Oculus (EDP), Phiuhl (FF), Pleasure Devil (FCII), Quori, Dream Master (MoE), Quori, Du'ulora (SoS), Radiant Idol (Sharn), Naztharune Rakshasa (MMIII), Retriever (MMI), Scyllan (Storm), Shadurakal (FF), Shrieking Terror, ten-headed (MMIII), Steel Predator (FF), Turagathshnee (DrM 312), Umbral Gloom (DrM 353), Varrangoin Arcanist (FF), Vathugu (DrM 337), Wastrilith (FF).
Borderline IX: Black Beast of Bedlam (DrM 355), Blood Fiend (FF), Demodand, kelubar (FF), Kelvezu (MMII), Laraken (ShS), Logokron (ToM), Malebranche (FCII), Nalfeshnee (MMI), Odopi (MMIII), Rukarazyll (MMII), Steelwing (MMV), Verakia (DrM 357).
Favorite Summons
I: Not many options here. I like summoning a tiefling for basic combat (it's at least better than a celestial monkey), or a skiurid to trick my foes into underestimating me. Summoning is a piss-poor tactic at low levels.
II: The kaorti gives you a number of low-level spells all in one, improving your versatility and efficiency. The githyanki is a damaging combatant. But they all pale in comparison to the monkey bees - howler wasps are highly damaging flyers and really shine at this level.
III: Outside of your core choices, this is a pretty weak level overall. The nashrou does quite a bit of melee damage for its level and is my favorite summon at SM III. The dretch has a few decent spells, while the abyssal maw has a formidable bite. Mostly, your selection is pretty thin at this point - so much so that even the celestial bison or the fiendish ape still seem like great ideas.
IV: The freakin' voor. Seriously. For its level, no summon (hell, hardly any spell) causes as much destruction as the voor. The wrackspawn isn't bad either. The advespa is my favorite flyer, with the harassing gadacro or the quick spined devil as close runners-up. The stone flyer is a great mount due to its Earth Glide ability. If you can summon enough of them, the legion devil becomes a stellar choice - the more you have, the better they are.
V: I dig the bar-lgura here, as it is powerful, mobile, and has spellcasting prowess. It's a demon orangutan. What's not to love? Bearded devils and canoloths are also good choices in combat, with wounding glaives and paralyzing tongues. I also really like the insanity-inducing achaierai and the damage-reflecting jovoc. Abishai start getting Wrack at this level (a very potent save-or-suck), making them decent casters. The shadow eft is your best stealthy creature at this level, with decent psionic abilities to boot. Reth dekala are great for tactical combat. Plus the nightmare for style points.
VI: Definitely the amnizu, with quickened fireballs and that intelligence-draining touch. Not much gives the amnizu competition at this level. The kocrachon is your most potent caster (though not your most potent blaster) with unlimited healing spells for its duration. Tsucora quori bring more psionic pain, while naityan rakshasa are your best melee summons here. The chain and pain devils are solid choices too, though more limited tactically. The artaaglith's cleric casting is always a boon.
VII: For its CR, the bone devil is by far your best deal. Very little can match it in terms of battlefield control, and it's not half-bad in combat either. The akleu is a close second, very potent in melee with its sneak attacks and good combat capabilities. Shadow demons are tons of fun with Magic Jar. Succubi are great at what they do, and come highly recommended. Arrow demons give you competent ranged firepower (so do erinyes, though not quite as well) and can really rack up some damage. I also like the yochlol for its shapeshifting powers and good SLAs.
VIII: Easily the carnevus, with its superior blasting abilities, though the mavawhan isn't too bad either with its frost-themed list. The red ethergaunt brings more arcane spellcasting to the table (always a good proposition). The chasme is an effective flyer. Oddly enough, despite the greatly-expanded list, the vrock still stands as one of your best melee option at this level, though the bulezau and aspects of either Kostchtchie, Bel, or Yeenoghu are capable as well. An aspect of Levistus can be a good magekiller. But let's be honest here: there's nothing better in melee at this level than a Dreadful Lasher voor. Seriously. They're just that good. For psionic potential, the cerebrilith outdoes the hashalaq, which is primarily focused on charm and social infiltration.
IX: Abyssal giants, jariliths, and earth gliders are your best melee choices at this level, though the slaughterking's debilitating aura garners it a lot of bonus points. I love the radiant idol's cleric domain choice, though it's more for the versatility than the power. Lilitu are also excellent clerics, and I am a huge fan of their level-draining stinger. For a rogue-like, I'm torn between the assassin devil and the naztharune rakshasa, but I lean ever so slightly towards the former. Death slaadi are probably your most potent casters, though glabrezu are quite good, the white ethergaunt's another wizard to toss into the mix, and aspects of Kurtulmak have notable sorcerous potential. Vathugu are just hideous fungal fun, stripping away attribute points like reverse papier mache and causing your enemies to dance like marionettes. The oculus demon has all kinds of powerful abilities, making it a very capable scout and a necromancer's best friend. If you're underwater, you need to be summoning an aspect of Sekolah, and quick. The aspect of Tiamat is likely your best blaster, with good melee abilities when pressed - but the aspect of Asmodeus gives her some healthy competition with Vile Hellfire Storms.
Borderline IX: The verakia, hands down, for sheer brutish power. The malebranche is a capable fighter too, and the kelvezu can potentially cause more damage than either of them with its sneak attacks. I like the steelwing a lot too, even though it's not evil, and the laraken is a great anti-caster creature. Not much in the way of casting at CR 14, though the Nalfeshnee has a few good choices. The black beast of bedlam is a great debuffer.
Update History
7/26/09 - Guide started on the Giant in the Playground forums
7/27/09 - Demons through Monster Manual V complete, handbook moved to 339
7/28/09 - Fiendish Codex I added to the Demons section
7/29/09 - Fiend Folio/Ghostwalk/Manual of the Planes added to the Demons section
7/31/09 - Book of Vile Darkness/Expanded Psionics Handbook/Miniatures Handbook/Draconomicon/Lost Empires of Faerun/Underdark added to the Demons section.
8/1/09 - Demons are complete!
8/10/09 - After a bit of a vacation (and a few days of not being able to access the site), Devils from the Monster Manuals I-V have been added.
8/14/09 - Devils are complete.
8/20/09 - Yugoloths are complete.
8/27/09 - 339 is now a piece of crap. GitP formatting is irretrievably disorganized. Handbook restarted, reorganized, and revisioned on Brilliant Gameologists.
9/2/09 - Other fiends through MMV complete.
9/12/09 - IT'S BLOODY DONE. Well, except for the Aspects section. But the original encyclopedia? Bam.
11/3/09 - Aspects are finished, as well as most of Strategizing Your Summons.
1/26/10 - After a long hiatus, work has recommenced. The end is within sight.