04. Dues for the Dead

Despite very much running your separate lives in between your adventures, Zrukz, Augustine & Chitkree, still spends time together from time to time, either getting a drink or a meal or, like you're doing on this day, go for a walk through Phlan just to see if anything interesting is happening. As you get to Podol Plaza, the city's market square that has seen better days, you see a single piece of parchment that has been nailed to a very worn notice board. As you get closer it reads:

WANTED:
Holy Knights,
Blessed Warriors of the Gods,
and other bold slayers of the Undead.
Reward commensurate with risk.
For particulars, contact Doomguide Yovir Glandon
at Valhingen Graveyard, City of Phlan

Vaxis, the townsman jumps, startled by your sudden inquisition and the small dragon on your shoulder. "Oh, er, we-well it's on the other side of the river. You can't miss it." He then quickly walks away while throwing nervous glances over his shoulder.

You all walk to Valhingen Graveyard, Vess a few paces behind everyone else, and the two newcomers can’t help but be surprised at just how neat and pristine this place is, it looks more like a park than a graveyard with gravel pathways wending between tall trees, well tended shrubberies as well as clean headstones and statues. A couple of acolytes direct you to a small, simple stone chapel in which the Doomguide, Yovir Glandon, is sweeping leaves with a worn broom. He looks up at the main group as you enter and smile at the sight of Augustine, Zrukz & Chitkree. "How good to see you again". He also shakes Aramil’s hand, "And very good to meet you. I am the Doomguide of Kelemvor’s Faithful, you can call me Yovir". He looks around, "Where’s the other fellow? Big man, made of metal?". He also looks behind you as Vess approaches the entrance, "And is she with you?"

At the mention of his request for help, the Doomguide grows serious and his face shows a deep look of concern. "I would be grateful of your aid in this matter as it is serious indeed. Valhingen Graveyard was not always as beautiful as it is now, 100 years ago it was overrun with the undead. The Kelemvorites have worked hard a tirelessly ever since to transform it into a final resting place that the city of Phlan can be proud of. The people of Phlan have a hard life, filled with toiling and strife, and Valhingen Graveyard, as morbid as it may sound, is seen by many as a reward for all the hardships they've been put through, so we take a lot of pride in maintaining it".

Yovir puts the broom up against the wall, walks over to the entrance and looks out at the trees rustling in the sharp autumn wind. "About a month ago, a novice Kelemvorite went missing. I thought little of it at the time, many novices leave the order without any notice, it is not for everyone after all. However...a week later, Brother Rasoran also disappeared. That was more troubling, because he's been a devout servant of the order and Phlan for almost 10 years. Then Sister Bethel went missing and...well...a few days ago we found her, or should I say...we found some of her. Partially eaten."

Yovir turns back around to face you all, his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with both anger and worry. "We believe the undead has returned to our beautiful sanctuary. Me and a few other Kelemvorites went into our oldest catacombs to try and investigate, however we didn't find anything. We sealed the entrance to stop any spreading, but we need someone with more experience into re-enter to try and get to the bottom of this. Are you up to it?"