After their adventures in the woods some of the members of the Righteous Fist began to develop a great dread of poison and the vile beasts that attack with it. Enquiries around the village led Braenard to consult Hoareb Nimblefingers, midwife and healer of Shadowdale. His intention was to offer money or a service in return for a salve to heal the envenomed. He knocked politely at her door and prepared his most charming smile. Exactly what went through his mind after that we can only surmise, however when old Hoareb answered the door he began

"Well met Mistress Nimblefingers, you look like a woman of the world - "

At this point his introductory speech was interrupted by Hoareb's broom being stuck in his mouth! Evidently this mature and well respected member of Shadowdale's community objected to this callow youth comparing her to a madam such as Mother Tara! Braenard never got his healing balms.

Rufus and Killian had been listening to the locals gossiping in the bar the previous night. They had been told of the recent disappearances of some farmers from further up the dale. For sure, the dales are a dangerous place: seemingly a bottomless pot of ready made meals for the predators of Cormanthor. Yet the loss of these farmers was unusual. There had been few signs of any struggle at their homesteads and no blood stains as one might expect at the scene of a wild creature's feasting. No further clues were available, although the name "Fox Ridge" seemed to figure in the conversations later on during the night (well, earlier in the morning). Unfortunately the pair had had a little too much Shadowdark ale by then and the details were more than a little hazy!

The morning came bright and clear, although Rufus and Killian found their heads to be anything but bright and clear! However, Fox Ridge was burned into their memory. At that days meeting of the Fist they suggested the company go and investigate the place. Their fellow adventurers readily agreed and they were soon all ready to depart into the sharply frosted morning air.

The Fist found a number of small caves and crevices in the northern side of Fox Ridge. They did not see any of the creatures that give their name to this small part of Shadowdale: In no small part this was due to the noise of the muscle bound warriors in their armour. Cethorlyn yearned for the chance to be alone and quiet in these woods, his own country. Only one cave seemed worthy of further investigation, the group's interest was whetted as the entrance had been bricked up. They managed to remove a couple of the bricks to make a small hole in the centre of the wall. At Rufus' insistence (to maximise the force the adventurers could apply to knocking the wall down and avoid damage to any items behind it) Nyota's staff was passed through the hole with a rope tied to its centre. They all then pulled hard on the rope. Thankfully the staff did not snap and the wall was successfully pulled down. Beyond the wall was a good sized cave. In the far wall of the cave the Fist found a stout stone door set into a carved stone frame. An unfamiliar rune was found on the door:

Nyota studied the rune carefully, casting her mind back to her childhood lessons in Waterdeep with her private tutor Al-wan. The rune looked nothing like any of the few she had bothered to learn. If only she'd paid more attention to her books rather than running off to Dock Ward in search of adventure! None of the other members of the fist could help either.

Soon Killian spoke, his voice as heavy and intense as ever. "This must be a tomb."

"Why?" Rufus challenged him.

"It was bricked up to keep grave robbers away and this rune serves as further warning to us."

"So what does it mean then?" demanded the pugnacious warrior.

"That, I do not know. I will not desecrate a holy resting place however. Those who wish to continue must do so without my aid." Killian turned on his heel and left.

There was a brief discussion among the other members of the Righteous Fist. Rufus, his sense of piety as weak as his greed was strong, wished to pillage the caves. Cethorlyn's eyes were also bright with the thought of treasure. Nyota, Braenard and Shere Khan stood steadfastly with Killian though, and whatever lay behind the door in the cave in Fox Ridge was left undisturbed.

On its return to the Old Skull Inn the Righteous Fist heard more about the disappearances from the dale. A group of farmers were discussing the loss of some residents of the village of Shadowdale itself. As ever, their talk was long in speculation and short in fact. The names of the victims were plainly stated though: Britaria Bestil, Brennan Elventree and Peldar Hillstar. It seemed there were no clues as to where they had been taken. They had simply been out early starting the day's chores on the farms where they worked, but they had not returned for breakfast. At that moment Thurbal marched into the bar and straight over to Killian, whom he obviously regarded as the leader.

"Well met, Killian of Helm."

"Again."

"I must ask for your assistance once again. You may have heard of the recent losses of our village population?"

Killian confirmed that he had. Thurbal motioned to a quiet table in the corner of the room and the group gathered around it. The old Master-at-Arms began to provide all the accurate facts, such as they were, known about the disappearances. At none of the farms had there been any signs of struggle. There had been no damage to property and no blood stains on the ground. Although the abductions had taken place at a very quiet time of day, nobody in the village had heard or seen anything untoward. None of the investigating forces had found any signs of tracks. The watch had one possible clue, however. In recent days some citizens of the village had reported unusual sights from around Castle Grimstead. A lone traveller had arrived at The Old Skull Inn two rides ago. He said he had seen light ("A ghost! A phantom! A spectre I tell 'ee!") in the woods around Castle Grimstead.

Few in the inn at the time had paid any attention to him at the time as, whether through fear of what he had seen or, perhaps, habit he had consumed at least two skins of wine during his journey that night. Some became afraid the lights meant Drow could once again be casting their covetous eyes toward the dales, but as Jamble the Eye muttered, "Since when did Drow ever need to use lights?". Old Luth, who is well known to generously imbibe Shadowdark Ale, claimed to have heard screams in the woods beyond the House of the Lady. "More likely the screams of his liver seeking salvation from the ale he batters it with; but now we have to listen to him I think." grunted Thurbal. The Fist resolved to undertake Thurbal's request to look into the disappearances. They would receive no fee but they would be entitled to any and all treasure found in the course of their investigations. After fully arming themselves and gathering all their adventuring equipment our heros began by visiting the sites of the disappearances. No new clues could be gained. The Fist did, however, experience the piercing grief of those left behind. They left all three homes with the pleas of the families deep in their hearts - "Find our children! bring them home!". Killian's will became iron strong; in the name of Helm the Ever Vigilant he would lead this motley crew of rogues, sword swingers and Gondites and never return until the lostlings were found! While Killian was making a prayer to this effect, Rufus had been poking around in the yard of Hyne Bestil's farm, from where Hyne's son, Britaria, had last been heard whistling as he went about his morning chores. Using the tracking skills he had learnt in the woods around his father's farm Rufus noted fresh boot prints in the hard earth. They were faint, but to his trained eye they were clear enough. Furthermore he suspected he could see signs of a struggle, maybe even the trail of a body being dragged away. Although he was unable to determine the number of sets of prints, he could see that they were heading west into the woods south of Icyhill. Quickly he gathered his comrades around him and told them of his find. The decision was quickly made: follow the tracks!

Rufus was able to take the party as far as the River Ashaba. There the trail was lost. Questioning the guards on the bridge revealed only that no report of anyone suspicious crossing the bridge earlier that day. After brief deliberation a decision was made. The Fist would press on to Castle Grimstead!

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