Session 6

### The Gang are definitely not werewolves

The party wakes up in the morning to the familiar smell of morning continental breakfast at The Lava Pit. Skarūl opens his door and finds a package waiting for him. It's wrapped in paper with a symbol on the wax seal---two Ms, written in an unusual calligraphy.

Skarūl uses mage hand to carefully open the package and finds a box of worms and a note with a single sentence, "See you soon little brother."

In a panic, Skarūl leaves the tavern and in a fit of paranoia turns himself invisible. He searches the town, attempting to find the individuals he believes left him the package. But he doesn't find anyone. However, he does find the same MM symbol in several places around the city, and cloaked figures that seem to disappear each time he turns around to confront them.

Back at the Lava Pit, the group see a familiar face. The Lady of Craith comes to the Lava Pit and speaks with Frewyn. She asks everyone to leave the tavern and return in the evening due to a private event. The Lady sits down with the rest of the group and asks them about the recent news she heard about Alard Vane's passing. The group explains the what they found out about him, and present the evidence they found in the tower. She explains that she's surprised by his betrayal, since he had a history of helping the Kingdom and, even more directly, the region of Orusar. She mentioned that prior to his work in Craith, merchants suffered from frequent dragon attacks in the Dead Sands. His involvement quelled the attacks and the dragon hasn't been seen since. She mentions that he was also pivotal in helping recover the Talismans of Baator, including a fourth Talisman, when Pelari was attacked many years ago.

She thanks the group for uncovering his betrayal and begs the group to speak with Oleander Alder Earnest Oakheart, a gnomish researcher in Pirask who, along with Alard Vane, had dedicated his life to helping the royal family with arcane matters---and who had a particular expertise in all things relating to the Talisman.

The Lady leaves the tavern and Frewyn and Vallarie return. The group decides to speak to Vallarie before leaving for Pirask and find out that she's worried about her son. She mentions that her son, Ravi, left for Pirask to bring medicine to his sick grandmother a couple days ago. She knows he would have sent her a parrot when he arrived, so she's concerned about his safety. The group agrees to investigate Ravi's disappearance in Pirask since they're headed there anyway to speak with Oleander.

The group travels to Pirask and reach a crossroad. There's a wagon with a dead horse and goods in the wagon. They look around the wagon and find claw marks on the horse and on the ground. They also find signs of a body being dragged into the forest---leading to the Pirask public library.

The group knocks on the door and find Oleander and Dilly (Daffodil Dahlia Lavender Windsong), the town's librarians. They also find Ravi, bandaged up and recovering under the care of the two gnomes. Oleander mentions that Ravi was attacked. Merrick investigates the bite wound and notices the lycanthropy infection. There's only a week left before the full moon, and Ravi needs to learn how to control his condition before then to avoid losing himself to the curse.

The group speaks with Oleander more and learn more about the items they found under the Lady of Craith's keep and in the Night Hag's personal chest.

Here are a few items the group ask Oleander to help them identify.

* Talisman of Baator
* Heartstone
* Soul Bag
* Mirror with the creepy clown
* Gems
* Rings
* Some adult blue dragon scales
* Voodoo Dolls
* 3 Spell Books (1 original, 2 copies)
* Moloch contract
* Lichdom instructions

The group leave the library and speak go to the Bed and Breakfast (and esteemed Bakery) of Mary Mortkowna. They find her in her gingerbread home scared and sick. She thinks they're werewolves and won't let them into her home, but Barthus tells the group that she can stab him with a silver fork if it makes her feel better. She's too scared to stab him, so he stabs himself with the fork and she's satisfied.

She begrudgingly accepts the group's offer to heal her with the Hearstone, and it removes the poison. In the morning, Merrick creates some fresh water for her in a barrel, which she gratefully accepts and uses to make them coffee. She also makes some extra bacon and honey as a gift for Oberon, the druid prince werebear, and sees them off on their way.

*Find out what happens next with Skar-kūl and the Gang.*