Two days ago the murders in the countryside began. The first, a milk maid eviscerated in a barn. The next night a merchant traveler is killed outside his wagon. Marshal Kressle Stillwater and her small pack of rangers and outriders go out after the first killing in pairs to range across the kingdom in search of the murderer. The young worg Shuro'dan and Kressle go missing and haven't been seen since.
Chase, Raam, and a small courtly entourage (with mandolin in-tow) leave Stagfell that morning to conduct their own investigation into the murders. Balian is sent into town with a to-do list in preparation of the coming wedding festival by his betrothed Svetlana, he is thrilled by this day's prospects. Zuhair is checking in with his yellow hands on the latest reports and any suspicious individuals entering town of late. A bard by the name of Grigori the Grand has come into town and begun his comedic acts and music at the Inn of the Dragon's Rest. His act is scrutinized for slander against the kingdom.
The day of investigation produces little of interest though Chase's young worg Ander has picked up the scent of what appears to be a large wolf that has attacked twice. Returning that afternoon the Redeemers sans their elven alchemist gather and venture out that evening, nearly running over a barbarian drunk, to attempt to capture the creature. The night passes uneventfully.
Returning a little worse for wear, as the dawn's reddening glow set the skyline ablaze, the Redeemers greet General Kesten Garess in the road accompanied by two guardsmen. There had been a third killing! This one on the edge of town, a local seamstress was murdered after a large wolf broke into her home. Guardsmen responding to the crime drove of the beast describing the creature as standing on two legs.
Zuhair goes home to rest. The others check in with the captain of the guard to gather reports on the incident while Chase attempts to track the creature before catching some sleep. Again the tracks lead from the countryside to the road, back towards Stagfell. Ander catches the werewolf's human scent.
Later that afternoon Zuhair awakens and catches up with his captain and enlists the aid of High Priest Jhod Kavken when he learns that one of his guardsmen was injured that morning. Chase is woken early with a report from one of Kressle's rangers. An article of clothing matching Kressle's was discovered in an area nearby the river. Chase and Zuhair head to the area to discover inside a cave the worg pup Shuro'dan caught in a bear trap and Kressle tied to a rock. Both are recovered and are returned to Stagfell under the care of Jhod. Meanwhile in Stagfell, Balian is stuck in an argument between a designer and an organizer for the festival, he sends an inquiry to Lord Corso concerning the time he would be summoned to do battle against the growing troll threat to the south. Raam in the meantime has been doing some arcane research on werewolves and lycanthropy and gone to see the wizard Mahr to see what he knows and end up enlisting his aid as well.
It isn't long before Chase's intuition recalls the drunken barbarian on the road out of Stagfell and sights him down the thoroughfare. Our group of heroes rush to question the suspicious barbarian and investgiate. They confirm this man is likely the werewolf causing the attacks though he seems unaware of his own condition. Together the barbarian called Kundal, Kressle, and the guardsman Larr are taken to cells in the catacomb below Castle Redemption. Jhod and Mahr both provide council on the matter. Further magical inspection confirms that all three may in fact be inflicted. Night falls and the barbarian turns as does Kressle. Guardsman Larr, though he detects as evil to Executioner Akiros Ismort, remains unchanged. Suspicions arise and the guardsman is further questioned via a charm. It is discovered that he is himself part of a cult and believes Lord Corso is a part of his group and divulges that he was recruited by a man called Gared and that his last job was to pick up a package and deliver it to one of the 3 mills in town. Inside the package was a poisoned dagger!
The next day Jhod returns and succesfully removes the curse from the barbarian but cannot do so for Kressle. Its hold has grown too strong. Later the alchemsit Lanliss would advise that the herb wolfsbane if eaten by Kressle would aid in the curing of her malady. Raam interviews Kundal and becomes convinced the man is more victim than perpetrator. Later that afternoon Chase releases Larr in an attempt to have the man lead him to Gared and lure out others like him involved with the cult of Norgerber. The wizard mahr is used to follow the man from a distance using a locate person spell. Zuhair also accompanies them as they descend on the safehouse that Larr hides in. Larr is confronted and killed before he can escape and no one else shows. It appears the safehouse was being watched and no contact was attempted with the cultist Larr.
Raam has a final talk with Kundal the barbarian and informs him that he will be executed for the murders committed. Kundal nods silently but almost looks relieved. At least now, his nightmares will end.
Later that evening below Castle Redemption, the Lords of Stagfell have assembled. This time before a large slab table where the body of the ex-yellow hand guardsman lays. A priest of Pharasma has been sent for and now stands over the table. The corpse's lungs shudder suddenly and fills with air. Four questions are asked and the lords learn that Larr knows of two fellow cultists: a tall, lanky old man called Gared and the Blacksmith Vain, Councilor Ella Vain's father! They also learn that Larr received his potions of undetectable alignment at a pickup spot in a backroom of the Dragon's Rest.
