Chapter One: Bones and Ashes

"You should take some time to rest," Father Zantus says, "Once Audrahni arrives, I will be asking for your help with contacting Nualia's spirit as long as you are willing."

One week later, Father Zantus' friend Audrahni arrives in town and you are called into one of the inner chambers of the cathedral. When you enter, Father Zantus stands, "I'm glad you came," he says with a nervous smile, "This is my good friend Audrahni."

The woman, a pale-skinned elf with dark hair, gives you a smile and shakes your hands, "It's good to finally meet you all," she says, "I've heard so much about you. Do you have any questions before we begin?"

"You are here as somewhat of a backup plan in addition to being witnesses," Audrahni admits, "The particulars of Nualia's death, the passage of so much time, and the more recent desecration of her corpse make for less than ideal circumstances for this ritual. There is every possibility that Nualia's spirit will not come alone. In that case, it will be up to Abstalar and I to ward them off and we will need you to speak to her spirit and try to bring her peace."

She then turns to Winona, "I understand that you are a priest of some power. If necessary, we may need you to join in the ritual to help keep any wayward spirits away. Are you up to the task if we should come to require your aid?"

"Hopefully you won't have to do anything but observe," Audrahni says to Winona, "Just be ready for anything, okay? Speak to Nualia's spirit if Abstalar and I are distracted. If you notice us becoming overwhelmed, feel free to join the ritual alongside us to keep the restless spirits at bay."

Once everyone understands the job, Audrahni explains that rituals such as this are best performed under moonlight. After the sun sets you rejoin them in the courtyard of the cathedral and they begin the ritual, which they inform you will take about an hour to complete. They begin chanting, occasionally moving to light a candle, burn incense, or sprinkle some sort of dust over the flames.

Faint whorls of moonlight begin to manifest and you can see shadowy figures moving around the clerics and a chill settles into the air. About ten minutes into the ritual, a harried-looking acolyte moves into the courtyard, "I'm sorry to interrupt," she whispers, "There is a mob outside and they are demanding to speak to Father Zantus. He told us all he is not to be disturbed, but someone needs to calm them down... Can you do it?"

Father Zantus and Audrahni are too deep into the ritual to interrupt it to answer now. The acolyte takes matters into her own hands, grabbing hold of Jathus and Zani's wrists and pulling them out to the front of the temple.

You find a group of about two dozen concerned locals gathered at the cathedral entrance. Some carry torches and lanterns, but for the moment none appear to be armed with actual weapons. As you approach, you hear voices calling out, demanding to speak with Abstalar and voicing concern about "taunting the dead" or "toying with evil spirits." Loudest among the voices is a young man hammering on the door with his fist—Charn Scarnetti.