Dancers in the Dark
Session Two of the Path Perfidious Campaign

Terday, 44 Suntask 204

Necros Salamar Russ sits on the cold stone bench in the courtyard outside the Church of Fortune's Favour happily absorbing the morning sun. It has been four months since he and his companions returned from the Wraith Haunt, and he has spent almost all of that time here, in the Village of the Eighteen Churches. The ageing priest shifts his brittle bones painfully and turns to regard the sorcerer, Jass.

He and Jass journeyed up from Northmeet together in the Spring, to seek help from one of the Vítaean clergies in undoing the dark wounds Jass suffered at the hands of the undead. They found aid from the Church of Fortune's Favour, the high priest Thaddeus Carvin happy to take Jass in for magical treatment and convalescence. But Jass's recovery has not been swift. He did not respond well to restorative magicks and only now, months later, does he seem to have returned to an approximation of his former self. Salamar knows that Jass has been having troubling dreams, and the necros is worried for his health. He has seen a cleric from the temple, Neeva she is called, fussing over Jass day and night, trying to make him well. And so should she fuss, for Jass is far from cured. But his health is not the only aspect of Jass that troubles the cleric. How is it that Jass should know enough of dark magic to be able to name the master of the Witchwyrd Sarakite, and how wise was it for him to do such a thing?

However, recent events have put such worries far from Salamar's mind. The return of Narramac, followed so quickly by the theft from the House of Passing, the ignition of hostilities between the Watchers and the Church of Fire, and the murder of Ulish Van Caspan have dizzied the Watchers. The House of Passing has now been rebuilt, the number of Watchers in the Village has grown again and they have a new archnecrotain in the shape of Salamar's friend, Varamil; but the priesthood is still reeling. Hatred for the Church of Fire and what they did runs like a fever through initiates. The declaration of war by Tarex on the third of this month may have destroyed the Covenant, and all around there is chaos. Salamar's own view of the war has not firmly formed. He has not been called into battle, probably because of his age, and beyond the odd terrorist act the Village itself remains peaceful. This is largely because of the increased presence of the Justicians and the Church of Contention on the streets. The Warmakers are transparently allied with their sister faith, although the Justicians are attempting to remain neutral. Unless something happens soon to end the conflict, both Churches will be destroyed and many of the others will be dragged down with them.

A state of affairs that makes Archnecrotain Varamil's recent actions all the more incomprehensible. Ten days ago, an Enclave was called in the Village by Tarex himself. The point had been to call for the Church of Fire's expulsion from the Covenant. The death of Van Caspan combined with the tragedy of Ornlov Field were strong arguments in the Watcher's favour. However, a day before the Enclave was to take place, Varamil mysteriously pulled the Watchers out, saying they were not ready. The Enclave collapsed as a result, Varamil was taken to task by Tarex but not removed as archnecrotain. Varamil's action is but another mystery on top of all the mysteries concerning this conflict and Van Caspan's death. What could he have been thinking of? But Salamar suspects he will soon know the answer.

The reason he is sitting in the stone courtyard on this fine morning is because he has been summoned here by Archnecrotain Varamil. Varamil said that he has need of the skill Salamar and his companions demonstrated in the Wraith Haunt. And so he is here, along with Jass and with the wide-eyed monk, Kak, who has been travelling Norandor these past few months, doing good no doubt. Varamil also summoned three others, whom Salamar did not know before today. Manacus, a diviner whose Sorostraen accent marks him as well travelled. Torgellias, an adventuresome hobbit from the Wold who seems to have taken the events of Ornlov Field as a personal insult. Finally, Isiah de Chesiré who is some relation to Jedidiah de Chesiré, the hobbit who fought so valiantly in the Wraith Haunt, but has recently disappeared. Isiah is getting on in years, but is a skilled cleric of the Church of Life.

The attention of the assembled is taken by a group of performing acrobats who are practising in the large courtyard. Troupe Torrando, as they known, have been with Fortune's Favour for a few weeks, providing what little light relieve there is in the Village at present. They are certainly most accomplished, as can be evidenced by their startling collection of backflips, and tendency to leap into a human pyramid at the drop of a hat.

Salamar, perhaps because the troupe's antics remind him of his age, pays less attention to their display than the others, so he is the one who sees the figure approaching down the side of the square. He is a lad of no more than fourteen seasons, dressed in the black robes of the Watchers and trying to move discreetly. However, such misguided emphasis on appearing nondescript is making him stand out like a turd on a snow-drift, and there are few people with the power of sight who have failed to notice his arrival.

"Necros Salamar?" the lad whispers with note of high drama. Salamar nods and the boy continues. "I am Necros Nevinn, I have come to take you and the others to the archnecrotain," he lowers his voice even more. "We must be cautious and make sure we are not seen." Salamar asks why such secrecy is necessary, but Nevinn only shrugs saying that he doesn't know any more than he has told the group.

With little more explanation Nevinn conducts the group away from the courtyard and out into the Village. The group take a right and are soon passing through the north gate out of town. Questions as to their destination are met with a dogged, "I cannot tell you that sir, but we will arrive soon," but it soon becomes evident that they are heading in the direction of Mount Korvast. Salamar is a little nervous. Beyond the Village he is rather exposed from a Firestarter attack. This area should be neutral, but after events of the past month he believes the Church of Fire capable of anything.

After two hours, Nevinn leads them past the rough stone steps leading up the mountain and down into a small ravine. The going is extremely difficult but eventually they reach the bottom. Nevinn stops there, informing the party that they are waiting for a sign. About ten minutes late an eagle glides into the ravine and alights in front of the group. In an instant it turns into a man who introduces himself as Initiate Jowett of the Druidic Order. Jowett tells Nevinn that the going is clear, and that they have not been followed. Nevinn smiles and proceeds to lead the party back out of the ravine, much to Salamar and other's annoyance. He then leads them on for another twenty minutes, further around the back of Korvast, to a small cave entrance concealed behind a rockfall.

The eagle flies off into the sky as Jowett leads them slowly within. Many of the party members are becoming suspicious by this time, and are preparing themselves for any eventuality. The tunnel goes on into darkness until it abruptly turns a sharp left and then left again. Beyond the switchback the group can see a red flickering glow. They proceeds cautiously, and emerge into a wide cave relatively well furnished. A elegantly woven red carpet sits in the middle of the cave and many plump cushions are littered around the walls. There is a desk and several chests, one of which is open revealing a number of bottles of strong spirits. There is an exit on the right hand wall leading into darkness.

However, it is the lighting that has Salamar's attention. The cave is lit by a number of continual flame spells. Of the moon faiths, only clerics of Calafax use that spell with any regularity. He steps back. "What is this place, Nevinn?" Salamar asks suspiciously. "Um….." Nevinn announces, but Salamar's mood is contagious and rest of the party turn on the priest.

"It is all right, Salamar," comes a voice from the darkness, and Archnecrotain Varamil emerges into the main chamber. "I will explain everything. Nevinn, you can return to the Village now, and be careful." Nevinn turns to leave. Jass sends his viper, Victor, after Nevinn to keep him save. Victor, a little bored by the journey in Jass's inner pocket is looking for some fun and instead decides to chase Nevinn back to town. Later, his defence will be, that Nevinn was much safer moving at speed.

Salamar and Kak move toward Varamil, both filled with purpose. Salamar is still very suspicious, shooting questions at Varamil until the archnecrotain reveals that the spells were cast by a priest of Calafax. Varamil begs the group to sit down and listen to what he has to say, because it is of supreme importance for the future of the land. He thanks them all for coming and says "I am sorry for the cloak-and-dagger, but I cannot begin to tell you how important it is that you were not seen. There is a tremendous amount depending upon what is done here today and over the next few days. Time is very much of the essence if we are going to end this war."

Now he has their attention. "This war must end. Many of the other churches are beginning to take sides. The Church of Life, Fortune's Favour, the Sensationalists and the Justicians are siding with us; the Church of Water, the Odyssian Church, the Bombastics and the Church of Contention are siding with the Firestarters. If it does not end soon then all the churches will suffer, the Watchers and the Church of Fire will be destroyed. It is my belief that the we have all been manipulated into this conflict by some outside source, some source that wants to weaken the churches."

The party wants to know what source, but their answers comes from another voice. "There are dark forces walking the land," says an attractive middle-aged woman emerging from the darkness. Varamil introduces Druid Jelanie of the Order. She continues, "You discovered this evil yourself, months ago in the Wraith Haunt. The rise of a dark power there, marshalling untold forces of the undead. Long have the Watchers and the Order co-operated in policing of the Wraith Haunt," she smiles at Varamil, "we have little in common except our hatred of the undead, but that is enough."

"The Wraith Haunt is too large an area for either the Watchers or the Order to contain alone, we have to work together. However, since the war began the Watchers have pulled many powerful priests out of the north, and sent them to defend their own temples. The Wraith Haunt has been left unguarded, and the creatures within are using this opportunity to move. Northmeet, Oakholme and many other villages along the road risk suffering the same fate as Garwood. The Order also believes that the war has been masterminded by forces sympathetic to this Sarakite."

"Very well," Salamar concedes. "I grant that there may be truth in what you say. By why the secrecy? What do you want from us? And who set these spells?" Varamil lowers his eyes. "I will introduce you to the third and final member of my conspiracy. In doing so, I put my life and my position in your hands. You must understand the serious nature of these matters, and how much I am willing to risk for the good of all. You can come in now," Varamil calls into the other room.

The frame of a large man fills the doorway. He is dressed in the red robes of the church of fire, and sports an enormous red beard. It is Belerus Rothsman, once first flame of Infernus. The man whose resurrected Heena and started the entire trouble between the churches off in the first place. Salamar leaps to his feet. "Varamil! You go too far! Does Tarex know about this?" Varamil looks from Salamar to Rothsman and back again. He shakes his head slowly. "We have reason to believe that Tarex may not be trusted."

"He is the High Holy Witness of Doom!" Salamar explodes. "Listen, skinny," booms Rothsman, throwing himself onto a cushion. "I don't like the Watchers, never have, and I know for a fact that you lot hate me. But I know one thing, and I know it for truth – the Church of Fire had nothing to do with the death of Van Caspan. I never liked him, made that plain I think, but the Village was a far more interesting place with him in it. I used to enjoy the different shades of purple his face went he yelled." Rothsman sees that this line is not endearing him to Salamar. "Look, plain fact is that the Church of Fire is being played, just as much as the Watchers are. I don't like, and I'm going to see it stopped. Varamil is a decent man, misguided on a religious level obviously, but decent nonetheless. We can work together on this."

Salamar is livid. He tells them that it isn't their decision. Rothsman has no standing in the Church of Fire at all, and is in fact a wanted man, and for Varamil to go behind Tarex's back in this is heresy. "Belerus Rothsman stands against everything we hold dear!" Rothsman shows no remorse at the whole Heena fiasco. He says that he would do the same thing, resurrect anyone who could pay for it. "The business with Heena and the stolen finger is very serious," Varamil says, "but it is not serious enough to break the Convention. All churches have a sacred duty to uphold that agreement."

Salamar says that he will report this entire thing to Tarex immediately unless Varamil gives him an incredibly good reason not to. Varamil is asking Salamar to go against the wishes of the High Holy Witness of Doom, after all. "Tell us why you have done this, and tell us why you have brought us here."

Varamil says that the reason he has summoned the party is to learn the truth. There has been no thorough investigation into Van Caspan's death, and Varamil hopes that they will be able to winkle out what really happened. A long and heated discussion ensues between the party, Varamil, Rothsman and Jelanie. Kak is particularly vociferous calling both Varamil and Rothsman hypocrites, naming the hundreds that have already died in this war and questioning why they have only chosen to act now. Isiah sees Varamil's side, and tells Kak that Varamil has always stated his objections to the war, and cannot be named as culpable for these hostilities in any way. For more than an hour the sound of raised voices can be heard in the cave. Jass and Manacus silently taking in as much information as they can.

Rothsman retells the events of the evening of Van Caspan's death. On 1st Suntask, one day later than normal, Van Caspan conducted the Blessing on the green in the middle of the Village. In mid speech a shout came up from one of the near-by roof tops, Van Caspan staggered as if hit and then fireballs rained down on the assembled Watchers. From the fire a phoenix arose killing Van Caspan and going on to burn down a third of the town. Varamil says that Van Caspan was protected by powerful magicks, and that the force that staggered him was a powerful spell that destroyed any magical protection Van Caspan had as well as every magical item in a hundred foot radius. It was an effect akin to a Mordenkainen's Disjuncture spell.

The Church of Fire does not have access to such a spell, and besides it was the dark of their moon. Salamar is quick to counter that scrolls or magical items could have produced the effects stated, and that nothing said proves that the Church of Fire did not do it. Besides, Tarex said that the Church of Fire were guilty, and he is infallible.

Varamil sighs and turns to the group. "Tarex and Firewalker Tarrashar were once friends," he says. "One of the amazing things about this conflict is the disintegration of that friendship. Few people know the reason that Tarex declared the church of fire guilty of this atrocity. He said it because a little after the event, Tarrashar contacted him. Tarrashar said that he was responsible for the death of Van Caspan, and Tarex could sense that he was not lying."

Salamar's announcement that this proves the war is just, is shouted down by Belerus Rothsman. "I. He said I was responsible, not the Church of Fire was responsible. Over the months leading up to Van Caspan's murder, reports came my way that pointed to the fact that Tarrashar's loyalties no longer lay with the Church of Fire. I didn't believe it, of course. But after Van Caspan's death, I began to dig deeper. From what my spies were saying, it was becoming increasingly likely that Tarrashar had sold his soul for dark power. I was waiting for proof when I was removed as first flame of Infernus. My removal had nothing to do with Van Caspan's death, and everything to do with what I knew about Tarrashar."

"We think Tarrashar could be a supporter of Sarakite. Tempted by promise of power," says Jelanie. By his face, Rothsman obviously doesn't want to believe that, but he nods nonetheless. Varamil looks at Salamar and says that the speed with which Tarex declared war, and his actions since, suggest the he may have gone the same way as Tarrashar. Varamil is at pains to point out that they are not alone in their opinion. Many prominent Watchers and Firestarters agree with their position. Julian Maynard, the first flame of the Grand Conflagration is one such supporter. "This does not change the heresy of your words," says Salamar.

"Please," says Varamil. "Do what you can. Look into what happened. We have to end this conflict, and it cannot end with the Church of Fire being thrown out of the Convention. Tarex has called another Enclave for the fifth of Lollmeadow. By that time we must have evidence I can present the Enclave that will prove the Church of Fire's innocence."

Salamar consents. He and the group agree to undertake the investigation, but Salamar makes it plain that unless what they find deliberately implicates Tarex, then they will turn everything they find over to him. Varamil agrees. The discussion out of the way, the Rothsman and Varamil attempt to give the party some pointers.

Van Caspan was close to a necress in the House of Passing called Elsa. She was one of the few Watchers not to be killed by the fire, because she did not turn up to The Blessing. It would be wise to speak with her. Two investigations were conducted into the death of Van Caspan, one by Durant of the Justicians and one by Xarris of the Arcanum Incognita. Both were stopped after just two days, but the investigators may have important information that could help the party. Rothsman says that very few people have the power to cast a Mordenkainen's Disjuncture spell. Narramac, Zanlavin Salk of the Arcanum Incognita or a dragon, but he can think of no others. Rothsman tells them to beware of Vistral Molontov (the new first flame in the Village) – Vistral is Tarrashar's puppet. If he finds out what the party are up to then they could be in the soup.

Kak, Salamar and the others move to leave the caves. As they go, Rothsman adds: "Nothing you find out there is going to stop us and the Watchers hating each other, but it might stop the bloodshed and the war. Remember, we don't need the truth, we just need something Varamil can take to the Enclave. Anything that will stop the war." Varamil stands as they go, "I will try to make myself available to you at the House of Passing, but we must be discreet. And remember, you only have ten days."

The group arrives back in the village in the early afternoon, Salamar is feeling the effects of the long journey to Korvast and back and returns to his quarters for a nap. He says that he will find Necress Elsa and talk to her in the evening when he has rested. However, the rest of the group are younger, and have more than enough leads to be going on with. Kak and Jass head to the citadel of the Arcanum Incognita, Torgellias says he will examine the area where Van Caspan was killed and Manacus and Isiah head for The Holy Mountain, the tavern run by the Bobbin clan of hobbits.

Torgellias heads over to one of the low-roofed houses overlooking the green. The ground is still blackened and dead, although a few new shoots are creeping through. Torgellias wonders why the Church of the Land hasn't used magic to restore this place to its former glory. Torgellias tries to climb up onto a roof, but loses his footing and falls into horse trough. Shaking himself dry, he tries again and scurries up onto tiles. Under close scrutiny he discovers that one of the tiles, near to the chimney has a weird circular burn mark upon it. It is evidently quite recent, and strikes Torgellias as particularly peculiar. He tries to ease the tile out of its position and succeeds in breaking it in two. Sighing, he stores the two halves in his pack and drops back to the ground. Being a thoughtful sort of hobbit, he begins to scour the area for a replacement tile.

This task is not too difficult as there is a large amount of rubble from similar houses that were destroyed by the phoenix a month ago. However, his searching brings him to the attention of the Church of Contention. A band of metal clad soldiers march over and take him to task for climbing on roofs. The captain of the band calls him a thief and a says that he doesn't trust hobbits. Torgellias attempts to appear all sweetness and light to the soldiers, but is not gaining much ground until the a group of Justicians appear.

Torgellias notices that little love seems to be lost between the Justicians and the Church of Contention. They soon forget about him and begin an argument about jurisdiction. The Justicians commander tells him to run along, and it becomes obvious that they are willing to defend his right to walk away from the Warmakers, by force if necessary. Torgellias ducks off, scoops a tile from the street and proceeds to climb back onto the same roof, not a hundred feet from the soldiers. The members of the Church of Contention see him there and try to point the fact out to the Justicians, but the knights will not believe them. However, the noise of Torgellias hammering the new tile into the place alerts the old man who lives in the house, who comes out and loudly demands to know what Torgellias is doing on his roof.

Torgellias leans over the side to talk to the old man, and is completely obscured from view by the apex of the house. Therefore, when the Justicians finally turn to follow the Warmakers' frantic pointing, they cannot see the hobbit, and think the soldiers mad. Torgellias, cheerfully tells the old man that he is repairing his roof. The old man doesn't seem to believe him, and tries to give him a solid clout with a yard brush. Torgellias grabs the brush and pulls it onto the roof, saying that he will do the man's gutters while he's up there. The old man, delighted by the thought of leaf-free gutters, acquiesces. Torgellias stands and begins to sweep out the gutters. Now the Justicians see him too and march over with the Church of Contention close behind.

However, when Torgellias explains to them he is on the roof cleaning the gutters, his story can be confirmed by the owner of the house. The Justician apologise for bothering him and escort the Warmakers away from the scene. Torgellias grins mischievously and, as good as his word, sweeps all the detritus from the old man's gutters before leaping down and heading off to the tavern, anxious to show the others his discovery.

In the meantime, Kak and Jass have wandered to the citadel of the Arcanum Incognita, Jass first taking time to chastise Victor for scaring Nevinn half to death. The citadel of the Arcanum Incognita is an enormous structure of high walls and dark towers. It is currently the dark of Zephyre, and the clerics of air are at their weakest. However, this does not appear the case from the edifice of the church, which bristles with magical energies. The citadel is surrounded by a wall twice the height of a man. Set into that wall is a gatehouse. As the pair approach a member of the clergy comes out to greet them.

The cleric, who does not bother to give his name, is a sharp-tongued bureaucrat who seems intent on keeping Kak and Jass from seeing anyone to do with the church. They explain their interest in seeing High Invigilant Xarris, and the cleric tells that he will take down their details and pass on the request to the proper channels. He says that they can expect to be contacted in a week or two for further information. Not seeing any way forward, the pair leave details of where they can be contacted and quietly head to the Justician temple.

In his room in The Holy Mountain, Manacus is unpacking the trappings of divination. He sets his small owl familiar down on the bed, takes a swig from a hip flask and begins to rummage through his bags. Eventually he removes a small jar containing an amount of refined white powder. Wetting his finger, he absent-minded scoops some up and rubs it vigorously around his gums. Smiling happily he places the jar on the bed. The owl hops over, takes an amount, spins on one leg and topples over. Manacus, sprinkles some powder on the desk top, then neatly arranges it into a thin line. He stares rheumily out of the window, pondering the best course of action.

Kak and Jass enter the enormous transept of the Justician Temple without opposition. It is a huge tunnel with a convex roof that sports vast pillars and windows of stained glass that portray knights engaged in suitably heroic tasks. The place is relatively empty, but a few worshippers can be seen sitting on pews, their heads bowed. The pair spy several men in plate armour standing ceremoniously before vast oak doors to either side of the transept. But, despite Kak's friendly demeanour, they can get nothing out of them – even waving a hand in front of their faces gains them no result.

Jass spies a priest at the front of the temple, extinguishing a row of a dozen candles with a long snuffer. The two amble over to introduce themselves. "One moment," he says as they move to speak, and continues to mutter in a deep drawl that can only be Terranan. Slowly the priest walks the row of candles, snuffing each in turn. As the twelfth flame vanishes in smoke he pauses, says a prayer and then takes a taper from the shelf in front of him and lights it from a brazier. Jass gives Kak an exasperated look as the priest lights all the candles he just snuffed, equally as slowly. Eventually, the priest stops and turns to the pair.

"How may I serve you?" he asks. Delighted at the contrast between this man and the surly priest from the Arcanum Incognita, Kak and Jass quickly explain their mission. The priest says that he has heard of Durant, but is not sure whether he is in the temple today. He says that he will find out for them, and bustles away. Kak comments that he was very nice. A few minutes later another priest of a higher rank appears. He tells Kak and Jass that Durant is in the temple today, but is in a meeting. He should be free in about an hour if they want to wait. There is about to be a service, and they are welcome to take part. Both Jass and Kak decline the offer, but are happy to wait for Investigator Durant.

In the bar at The Holy Mountain, Isiah is nursing his second drink of the afternoon and happily continuing his conversation with Miro and Sally-Ann Bobbin. The husband and wife hobbit team are happy to while away the afternoon discussing the three topics that give every hobbit's blood racing: food, comfort and family history. Isiah discreetly tries to steer the conversation around to the events of the first of Suntask. Miro tells him that half the inn burned away, and that if it wasn't for Chamberlain Alberdark and the Chosen of Narramac, the whole place would have burned down and many people would have died. Isiah is curious about the Chosen and wants to know about their connection with the trouble between the churches. Eventually, hobbit entrepreneur and wheelerdealer, Holwell Bobbin, appears with a large suitcase, ready to venture off on another money-making scheme. By this time Isiah is asking about the Bobbin's family, but comes up against a wall from Sally-Ann and Miro hastily changes the subject. Holwell lays a hand on Isiah's shoulder. "Best not to talk about that," he says. "Miro had a son called Whelby, but he died at the beginning of Summer. They still don't like to talk about it." Isiah apologises, but the landlord and lady don't seem offended. Isiah seeks to change the subject, "What are you selling?" he asks Holwell. The hobbit laughs, "The same stuff as this morning, only to different people," he announces as he leaves the inn.

Isiah laughs and turns to see a delicate Manacus descending the stairs. The diviner struggles to the bar and asks for a cooling drink before settling into a chair in the bay window. Isiah heads over to join in, telling him the little he learned from the Bobbins. Manacus says that he suspects his powers will be central to finding the truth. They both turn as the bell on the door goes and a triumphant Torgellias bounds into the inn. He hops over to his allies and lays the two halves of the roof tile on the table with satisfaction. "Ooo. Tiles," says Isiah, fundamentally underwhelmed. However, Torgellias' enthusiasm is not to be dampened and he points out the burn-marks he suspects can be traced to the night Van Caspan was killed. Torgellias says that he is going to fetch his riding dog and head out to see Rothsman. Perhaps the cleric of fire will be able to shed some light on it. With a smile Torgellias downs Manacus's drink and bounds out of the inn, in the general direction of Mount Korvast. Manacus stands as Torgellias leaves. He says that he is going to use his magic to solve this riddle, and staggers into the street.

It is around this time, as afternoon turns unwillingly into evening, that Salamar Russ finally wakes from his extended nap. A little stiff, but certainly refreshed, Salamar stands and heads off to the House of Passing to find Necress Elsa. She is not difficult to find and soon Salamar and Elsa are ensconced in one of the many rooms beneath the House of Passing, just one level above the necropolis.

"I would like to ask you some questions about the night Ulish Van Caspan died," Salamar says, coming straight to the point. Elsa is suspicious of his motives, and it becomes obvious from her reaction that she and Van Caspan were more than friends. Salamar assures her that he is not trying to besmirch Van Caspan's good name, he is just looking for the truth. "The truth is Belerus Rothsman and his church murdered Ulish!" she spits. Salamar sees what he is dealing with, and tries to tailor his questions accordingly. He asks about Van Caspan's behaviour, gets her to go through the actual events of the night.

"That night….." Elsa shakes her head slowly. "I will never forget that night. There was no reason for him to postpone it to the first if the month you know. There were just as many people in the Village that night as there was the one before. I don't know why he did it. He didn't seem himself, he was worried about something. That evening, he told me to stay at the temple, not to come to The Blessing. He was adamant. I wanted to go, but he was the archnecrotain, you do not disobey your superiors. When I heard the explosions I ran over there, but I was too late. The Church of Fire had already killed him."

Salamar is not sure that Elsa has told him everything, but as no other questions immediately present themselves, Salamar bids her good evening. He leaves the House of Passing and heads to The Church of Fortune's Favour. The group had arranged to meet in Jass's room later than evening.

In the streets of the Village, the diviner Manacus staggers wildly about. Using such spells as detect evil and locate person he struggles to see who is in town. He hopes that he can narrow down the field somewhat. At his heart he suspects Rothsman of the crime, regardless of what Varamil says, but after several hours searching he has found nothing to speak of. He does not doubt his own powers, but he evidently needs to employ a slightly different tactic. He regains enough control over his senses to head to Fortune's Favour.

In the meantime, Torgellias has arrived at Rothsman's cave, conscious of the druids watching his every move as he approached. Certainly Rothsman has been expecting him, and seems delighted to have company, cracking open a bottle of cognac. Torgellias lifts a glass, and then shows him the tile from the roof of the house. Using a minor spell, Rothsman repairs the object, making it whole again. He then regards it closely.

"Made by some magical device," he says slowly. "I'd stake my reputation on it." Rothsman describes a cylindrical device, over an inch in diameter. It would have been stood against the tile to give it a firm base and then used to launch the fireball. He knows this because the Church of Fire have such objects. They are sometimes used by clerics needing additional firepower, or by members of the faith who have not yet been granted the fireball spell. "This does nothing to exonerate the Church of Fire," he says gravely.

At the Temple of the Justicians, after seemingly hours of waiting a tired, weary man hobbles over to Kak and Jass. He is not dressed in the usual brocade of the Justicians, his clothes are those of a horseman. His face is creased with many lines, and his ears bursting with coarse hairs. He walks very awkwardly and uses a stick. Despite his appearance, the man greets the pair warmly and introduces himself as Investigator Durant. He asks them why they are here.

At the first mention of Ulish Van Caspan, Durant motions them to be quiet. "Come with me," he says, "We'll do this in private." He turns and limps off toward a small doorway. Bending through Kak and Jass are greeted by a narrow flight of spiral stairs leading downward. Quite how Durant negotiates the stone steps is a mystery. It seems as though his right leg has been heavily splinted because it cannot bend. After a few minutes they find themselves in a small windowless office deep under the ground. The only light comes from a single lamp that Durant lights deftly. The room is filled with scrolls and papers that litter the desk, chairs and the floor. Durant removes some papers from the chairs so his guests can sit, and then props himself on the edge of the table.

"I'm not supposed to talk about Ulish Van Caspan," he says warily. "What is your interest in the matter?" Kak and Jass tell him as much as they think is prudent and he nods. "I see. Well, it is obvious to me that justice has not been served in this matter, so I will help you. I have no notes or papers regarding to this case, they were removed from my office some time ago, all I have is my memory, and I will share with you my thoughts on the matter."

Durant tells them that he was called into investigate the death of Van Caspan in the early hours of 2nd Suntask. High Invigilant Xarris of the Arcanum Incognita was already there, and Durant confesses that Xarris was one step ahead of him through much of the investigation. Signs pointed to a Mordenkainen's Disjuncture being cast in the vicinity. Putting aside the power needed to cast that spell, the incantation has a limited range. Durant believes that it was a suicide job. The spell was cast by someone inside the crowd of Watchers who were there for the Blessing. Someone who was subsequently killed by the fireballs that were rained down. The phoenix, if that is what it truly was, was an extraplanar creature of some kind, although he had no time to look for the presence of summoning runes. In any event, as soon as Tarex declared war, the investigation of the both the Justicians and the Arcanum Incognita ceased. It is possible that Xarris has more information that he does, but Durant doubts it. And he also doubts that Xarris will be willing to share. Information and the Arcanum Incognita are not easily parted.

Kak asks what happened to Durant's leg. The investigation rolls up his trouser leg to reveal that his right knee is completely missing. "Happened a fortnight ago. Some crummy sorceress got the better of me. It's proving very resistant to dispelling. I've been invalided off the force until a means can be found to cure it."

Kak and Jass thank Durant for his help. Durant says that he is happy to help the truth come out. He says that if anything else occurs to him, he'll let them know. "There's one more thing," he adds as they turn to the stairs. "Saffrin Ornslo – she's high priest of the Sylvani Church – she came to me the evening before Van Caspan died. She said that something wildly unnatural was abroad – said her fey sensed it. With the investigation cancelled I never got a chance to speak to her. Maybe you should. Tell her that I sent you. She's a wise old bird, but stay on her good side."

And so it is that the Kak, Jass, Manacus, Salamar, Isiah and Torgellias meet up in Jass's small room in the Church of Fortune's Favour. It takes them little over half an hour to compare notes and pass on all they have learned. Even comparing all their findings does little to give them a working theory. Torgellias is hungry and begins to search the room for food while the others continue the discussion. He happily begins to go through Jass's cupboards and personal things. Victor is not happy with the hobbit and hisses disapprovingly before sliding up Jass's left trouser leg. Suddenly, Torgellias cries out and comes out from under the bed. In his hand he is holding a human finger.

"Is this yours?" he asks Jass, handing him the finger. Jass takes it in his hand, and looks at it. He is about to say something when darkness engulfs him and he passes out onto the bed. Jass's eyes snap open. He is lying on a bed of broken stone and twisted metal; the sky above him is a deep purple and shot through with yellow lightning. Slowly Jass sits up, momentarily confused but recognising this as the most disturbing in a series of disturbing dreams. Knowing what it is, does nothing to change the horror of it however. Jass realises where he is now. He is in the stone courtyard outside the Church of Fortune's Favour. All around him the Village of the Eighteen Churches has been levelled. Dead bodies are piled high on all sides, in various states of decomposition.

Jass steels himself and begins to walk through the broken landscape. Suddenly, he sees movement. Sitting on top a small pile of bodies is a sight that sickens him. There is a creature of the same size and proportion of a human baby, but horribly bloated and with a greenish tinge to the skin. Its face seems to have been distorted, and its mouth packed with a thousand needle-sharp teeth. The forefinger of the its right hand ends in a tremendous curled talon that stretches out more than a yard from the body. The talon can be seen to be vorpal sharp by the way it slices the dead flesh into bitesize morsels for the creature.

The carrion-eater catches sight of Jass and leers at him, before hopping down from the corpses. It says nothing as it offers Jass a human finger, nearly severed by its claw. Jass is unable to stop himself from taking the finger, and smiling back at the creature. He raises the finger to his lips and runs his tongue over it. The bitter taste overwhelms his senses, and he begins to choke with disgust and revulsion. Abruptly, he is back on his bed in Fortune's Favour, the rest of the party clustered around him.

Jass throws the finger to the floor and quickly vomits onto the carpet. The questions come thick and fast, but Jass can offer no explanations. Suddenly the door opens and the cleric Neeva rushes in, her face a picture of concern. She lays Jass back on the bed and begins to soothe him, giving him some water. She advises that he rests, after such an episode. At the moment, rest is the best medicine she can prescribe. She looks at the others as though she is accusing them of bringing on this vision, and leaves the room.

Salamar retrieves the finger from the floor and takes a careful look. Sniffing it, the scent is familiar, but he cannot quite place it. Manacus takes the finger. He says that he will perform a detailed divination to find the owner of the finger. Torgellias says that he will accompany him, and the pair leave.

Jass collapses back onto his bed, quite upset. Kak asks the obvious question of how the finger came to be in Jass's room. Suddenly, Salamar remembers. The finger smells of a powerful embalming solution used only by the Watchers. The finger comes from a body that is currently sitting in the Room of Preparation in the House of Passing. All four members in the room descide to eschew Neeva's advice and they quickly head to the House of Passing.

Meanwhile, in his room above in The Holy Mountain Manacus lays out the trappings of his art in preparation for casting a Scrying spell. He tries to convince Torgellias that the large quantities of white powder he is imbibing are essential for the spell, but he is not very convincing. Torgellias is a little scandalised by the way Manacus treats his familiar. The owl has its face in the powder in a second and is very soon sleeping off its effects face down in an old sock. However, despite his chemical imbalances Manacus manages to get his spell off and learns of the location of the body that used to be attached to the finger. It is in the House of Passing! With this knowledge he and Torgellias rush off, just an hour after the others have arrived at the Watcher's temple.

Salamar, Jass, Kak and Isiah enter the House of Passing and head straight down to the room of preparation. There are eight bodies laid out in this mortuary, and it does not take long to find one with a missing finger. It belongs to a woman in her early twenties who only died in the last few days. No member of the party recognises her. However, this is the temple of the Watchers, and very soon Salamar has all the woman's details from the ledger.

She was called Jina Kaldor, and was a prostitute that operated in the Village. She fell ill two weeks ago from what was later identified as syphilis. Salmo, a cleric from the Church of Life was with her during her last hours and contacted the Watchers after she died. There is nothing in the record to suggest a link to either Jass or the Church of Fortune's Favour. The group climbs the stairs to return Jass to his room.

As they leave the House of Passing they meet Torgellias and Manacus. The diviner is most put out that the rest of the party were able to find the owner of the finger without him. However, he is interested to hear all that Salamar tells him. However, the truth is that this matter seems completely unconnected to their investigation into Van Caspan's death, and they are certainly no closer to finding the killer. Tomorrow they will see Saffrin Ornslo, but first Jass must get though a dangerous, dream-filled night with only Victor for protection.

Zephday, 45 Suntask 204

Before breakfast, Torgellias hops over to the Church of Land to ask the priests why they have not used their magic to restore the green. The priest tells him that waiting for the grass to grow back reminds the people of the Village what happened, and makes them think on the stupidity of it all. Torgellias shrugs and heads off to the green where Isiah is cooking breakfast in his portable kitchen. He joins Isiah, Kak and Manacus in a nice bacon sandwich.

Jass has not appeared this morning, and Salamar is a little concerned about his friend after the events of last night. He heads to the church of Fortune's Favour and up to Jass's room. Jass lies in his bed, tossing from side to side. Salamar moves to the bed and rests his hand on the man's shoulder. Jass does not stir. Salamar shakes him vigorously, but still Jass does not stir.

In his dream, Jass is on a hill top looking down at the city of Uris. It is burning, great blue flames are leaping into the sky. Huge winged beast circle the city spitting destruction upon it. Jass is suddenly sensible that he is wearing heavy amour, all spikes and points. He is holding a sword in his hand, and he knows that he is in some way responsible for all this death and destruction.

"Join us," Jass hears and turns around. Before him, floating a foot above the ground is the cleric Neeva. But it is not a Neeva that he has ever seen. She is completely naked except for a harness of black studded leather strips. Her words sound more of a command than a statement to Jass's ears, as he takes a step toward her. "You called us, Jass. You called us so join us. Join me, and rule this land." She extends a hand to Jass. In his heart Jass knows that if he takes Neeva's hand he will be damned, but he cannot stop himself from raising his arm and reaching out toward her.

In the bedroom Salamar has been joined by the other members of the party, all of them equally worried about Jass. Nothing seems to rouse him. Casting a detect evil spell, Salamar notices an invading aura of evil that is trying to overwhelm the sorcerer and looks likely to succeed. Without a thought, Salamar quickly throws a protection from evil enchantment on Jass. The evil influence is thrown off him and Jass sits up sharply. In his dream he was fingertips away from touching Neeva's hand.

Jass hyperventilates onto his counterpane. "I thought you were going to protect me," he says to Victor. "You don't think this worries me, too? It's not just your soul at stake here. It's your soul. My soul. Our soul!" Jass gives him a withering look.

"What happened?" asks Salamar, but before Jass can reply the door opens and Neeva enters again, this time carrying Jass's breakfast. She is surprised and annoyed to find the rest of the party in the room. She smiles at Jass and walks over to him. Jass shunts himself across the bed, obviously terrified of Neeva. Barely controlling his emotions, Jass looks into Neeva's eyes and tells her to leave. "Get out," he says when she tries to argue with him. "Out! I don't want you here!" Neeva looks surprised and hurt, but leaves the try on the table by Jass's bed. Salamar watches her carefully as she exits. As soon as she is gone Jass up ends the try, knocking its contents to the floor.

"She is evil," says Salamar slowly; then explains that his spell was still running. "Follow her, Torgellias." The ranger nods and runs out of the door after Neeva. "Tell me everything," Salamar says to Jass, who begins to recite the events of his latest dream. Salamar looks gravely at Jass. "You have had these visions since the Wraith Haunt?" he asks. "I have had little time for research because of the war, but do you remember the name you mentioned to me – the creature you said was the master of Sarakite?" Jass nods. "Some names," Salamar says, "are names of power. They cannot be uttered with adverse side effects. Considering the mythical role of this demon, and your condition when you uttered the name, you could have forged an unwilling link. This girl Neeva could be part of that process. An ally of this creature. She may have been deliberately keeping you weak." Jass is not amused. Manacus says that Jass should be locked in a cupboard for his own safety, but no-one seems to agree with him.

Torgellias moves like a phantom. Neeva does not even realise he is there as she leads him down several flights of stairs, through the kitchens (the hobbit helps himself to toast) and down to a small room at ground level. Torgellias watches as she enters the room. He quickly scampers to the keyhole and peers into the room. He sees Neeva pacing up and down distractedly. Then she opens a drawer and removes what appears to be an oil burner of some kind. Suddenly, she walks to the door and locks it, leaving the key in the keyhole. Torgellias can no longer see, but he can hear her chanting. He does his best to remember some of the words, before heading back up to Jass's room.

Torgellias bursts in with a flourish and begins to recite Neeva's prayers. Salamar barely stops him before he says the word "Karatath". Manacus, Isiah and Salamar put their heads together. Isiah suggests that it could be some sort of summoning spell. They have to get their quickly. With the speed of thought Kak picks up Torgellias and runs down off through the dormitory and down to Neeva's room, his magic boots allowing him to go like the wind. Jass is also up and giving chase with Manacus hot on his heals. Isiah and Salamar move more slowly by are on their way nonetheless.

Isiah and Salamar stop in the first dining room they pass. The death priest rushes over to the highest ranking cleric in the chamber – a man called Melmac – and does his best to explain the situation. Melmac is quickly bullied into dragging four other clerics from their meals, and they head down to Neeva's chamber. Melmac is not convinced by Salamar's words, but he would be stupid not to check out such accusations.

Kak and Torgellias rush through the kitchens at 50 mph, only the monk's lightning reflexes saving the cooks and bottlewashers as he leaps over them. This time the hobbit spears a string of sausages. In what seems like an instant, they are at Neeva's door and trying to kick it in. Despite his size, it is on the third attempt that Kak kicks the door open, by which time a foul-smelling candle has been extinguished and Neeva sits defiantly on the bed.

She looks at them as they enter, demands to know what they are doing here, and by what right they are searching her room. As she stands Kak restrains her and Torgellias checks outside her window for footprints and then proceeds to go through her underwear drawer.

Manacus and Jass are not far behind. In the kitchen Victor leaps onto Jass's shoulders to join in the fun. On their arrival in Neeva's room the snake slides off onto the floor as Jass yells at Neeva demanding to know what she has done to him. Neeva remains silent, not even bothering to deny her actions at this stage. Salamar and Isiah are only moments behind, with Melmac and the clerics in tow.

Neeva appeals her innocence to Melmac, and asks him to remove these people from her room. "Cast detect evil," says Salamar coldly. Melmac does so. He is surprised to be able to confirm Salamar's version of events, and says that there is an evil presence lingering in the room. He sends one of the young priests that came with him to find High Priest Thaddeus Carvin. This is a matter of extreme urgency.

Jass can hear his familiar's voice in his mind as Victor drops out of the drawer Torgellias opened, a pair of Neeva's knickers on his head. "The bottom drawer," Victor hisses. "It smells of you." Jass strides to the bottom draw. Neeva tries to stop him but Kak holds her back. Opening the draw Jass finds a small wooden box. He opens it with trepidation. Inside he finds some toenail clippings, one of his old socks, some of his hair and strange white viscous material in a small bottle that he hopes isn't what he things it is. Jass is furious. He feels violated and used. He turns on Neeva with a murderous look on his face. She shrinks back into Kak. For a moment Jass pauses, then he storms out of the room completely furious. Isiah races after him.

Jass kicks open the door of his bedroom trembling with rage. Victor looks up languidly from the bed, a pair of lace knickers on his head. Jass ignores him, stalks to the window and yanks it open. Staring out, Jass snarls at Troupe Torrando as they bounce around the courtyard before him. "Get out of the way! Now!" he cries. There is something in Jass's voice that tells the acrobats he means business. They dive out of the way as he hurls the box at the ground below, and with a thought, lets fly with a fireball.

Isiah blundering into the room is just in time to see the streak of red that leaps from Jass's hand, hear the explosion that shakes the fittings and cracks plaster, and feel the backwash of heat that thunders into the room. In the courtyard the paving stones and benches have been melted into an amorphous lump. Isiah can hear the urgent tolling of bells in the distance. He realised that given the circumstances of Van Caspan's death, laying a fireball in the middle of the Church of Fortune's Fortune could be considered impolitic at best.

Jass is simply leaning out of the window, insensible of the furore he has caused. The temple is filled with the thumping of footsteps and the shouting of concerned voices. Members of the temple guard appear in the courtyard, and start pointing excitedly at Jass's window. Isiah imagines that the Church of Contention and the Justicians will all ready be on their way here. However, Jass doesn't seem to be at his most approachable.

Suddenly, Jass's head snaps around. Perhaps he realises what he has done, or perhaps Victor has warned him. In any event, he reaches to the bed and grabs his familiar. Isiah can hear footsteps running down the corridor toward the room. With a wave of his hand Jass renders himself and Victor invisible. Then, unseen by Isiah, he casts spider climb and disappears out of the window, climbing in the general direction of the roof. With a splintering of wood seventeen burly men with swords burst into the room. Isiah turns, still too stunned to speak. "There he is men! Get him!" yells one of the men pointing at Isiah. The guards descend on the hobbit and soon everything goes black for him.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention," says High Priest Thaddeus Carvin to Salamar some minutes later. "What is to be done with the girl?" Salamar asks. Carvin says that she will be imprisoned in one of the temple dungeons. Salamar insists that she is very dangerous, Carvin says that he knows that. However, this matter is a little embarrassing for Fortune's Favour and he would like the opportunity to find out exactly what she was doing and why before any decisions are taken. Salamar and Kak tell Carvin all they suspect, including Jass's connection with the Wraith Haunt and the uttering of the demon name. "I will solve this matter swiftly," Carvin clips, "but now I must deal with a horde of Warmakers at my door demanding admittance, so if you will excuse me."

After about half an hour, Isiah is found and released from his cell under the direction of Melmac. Carvin reports that he has told the church of Contention and the Justicians that the fireballing was an accident, and they will not be looking for any one in relation to this matter. He, however, would very much like to see Jass. "Not as much as I would," Isiah says, a slightly murderous glint in his eye, and sets out to look for Jass to 'teach him a lesson' for landing him right in it. Little does he know that Jass has left the compound and is currently sitting, invisibly, by the side of the lake thinking dark thoughts while the rest of the Village is in chaos.

What to do now? It is still only early morning, and they still have a mission from Archnecrotain Varamil. Kak says that the most logical course of action is heading over to the Sylvani Church and trying to talk to Saffrin Ornslo. Salamar agrees. But they are only three. Only he, Kak and Torgellias remain in the temple. Jass and disappeared, Isiah is looking for him and Manacus has also gone.

In his room in The Holy Mountain, Manacus takes a good snort and stares into the misty mirror onto which he has cast a scrying spell. He has been searching for people who might be connected with the death of Van Caspan, but to no effect. He shrugs and then thinks. "Show me Sesnic Lodrath!" he commands. The mists clear and Manacus sees the fire cleric Sesnic Lodrath, once first flame of the Grand Conflagration, allegedly kidnapped by Watchers on 25th Suntask and feared dead. He is sitting in a cave mouth in the morning sunshine, his head buried in a book. Beyond the cave mouth is a forest. Two other figures enter the cave. Manacus is surprised, they are handsome young men, identical in every way. And they are holding hands. Thinking that you get all sorts in Norandor, the diviner peers into the mists and suddenly realises that the twins are peering back at him! They begin to cast some magic, Manacus tries to end the spell, but it is too late. He is flung across the bed and lands heavily on the floor the other side. Slowly looking up, Manacus sees that the scene in the mirror has vanished, but there is now a nasty crack running its entire length.

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