A dark and stormy night

2 November, 595

Joseph Brandt, a cleric of St. Cuthbert enlists the aid of local adventurers to aid in the recovery of several children that have been abducted from the Lantern Street Orphange. The Church of St. Cuthbert is leading the effort and is being funded by other churches and members of the nobility.

One gloomy and rainy night, the fledgling group agrees to join Joseph on the promise of adventure and possible wealth. On their way over to the church they hear a call for help coming from a nearby allet. As they investigate, they see a gang thugs roughing up a defenseless man. One is heard to have said "Stay away from the orphanage!" The heroes immediately come to the aid of the victim. 3 of the thugs attempt to escape out the back of the alley but Brisk (a gnosmish wizard) casts a sleep spell which stops them in their tracks. The other 2 attempt to stand their ground. Of those, one is massacred by the spiteful axe of Bruinor. The other, heeding the warning of Joseph and seeing his chances as slim, throws down his sword and surrenders. It is learned that the men were hired by a thieving guild called the Last Laugh to dissude any investigators from looking into the disappearance of the children. The prisoner doesn't seem to know much more than that and hands over the 10gp he was given to do the job. The other 3 men wake up from their sleep and are allowed to escape. All of the thugs were wearing face paint, each face painted half black, half white. The accosted man introduces himself as Rufus Laro and asks the heroes to escort him to the church to talk with Jenya Urikas, the acting high priestess.

At the church of St. Cuthbert, the group is invited to hear a proposal from the high priestess. The church is willing to offer 1200gp for the safe return of all four children. Details are given about the children and the orphanage from where they were taken from. Jenya also explains that she consulted the Star of Justice, a holy relic from the church, in order to divine the location of the children. She was given an answer in the form of a riddle, which she shares with the group. They are also given some healing potions embossed with the symbol of the church.

The group retires for the night and decides to meet back up the next morning.