The Disappearance of Artifice Wile

You wake the next morning and make your way to the taproom for breakfast. As the mornings
winds on all of your group except for Artifice gathers together. Initially you think nothing of it but
as the day goes on you start to wonder.

If the PCs investigate artifice's room they find he and all

of his gear is missing.
If they detect for evil or invisible, they will turn up
nothing.

If the PCs detect for magic, they discover traces of

evocation (sound bubble, bard spell) and alteration
(darkness) and enchantment (charm).

A physical search turns up no trace of artifice and no

race of a struggle. However, the pcs do find a wax
ealed note (with no seal symbol) under the pillow.
dly,

e window shutters are open. snagged on a jagged

tion of the exterior window sill is a scrap of rich
ric . A successful test (memory, intelligence) will
to recall that Marco had a tunic of similar design.

her investigation will reveal a torn tunic (stained

Nathans blood) in Marco's belongings. A second test
ecall that Marco was not present at the inn the
us night.

e.
Pale of skin and raven haired
I crept upon him unawares
Cold and cruel
Conceited fool
With knack for making others scared
Now disappeared
The path is cleared
Seek him not the jester jeered.

written in blood Nathans if the PCs have a

e it. The paper is a page from araguins

stioned Nathan will recall a cut of

n his left palm. If traced the blood or
PCs to one of vixen's daggers which
ff after being used to cut Nathan's

What actually occurred. This is a setup by Ebon Shade. In the form of Marco and under the cover of
darkness and silence spells Ebon acquired the components for the ruse and forged the note in a poorly
disguised hand (to ensure it was obvious that the author was trying to hide their handwriting). Similarities
can be found to Marco's journal. Again disguised as Marco, Ebon hired two thugs to transport a body
from the back alley of the inn to an abandoned dockside shack. The body was actually Marco who had
been drugged and magically disguised as Artifice. This accounts for Marco's absence the night before.
The drugged state also prevents Macro from remembering the events of the previous evening (he only
remembers waking this morning in his own room and bed). After retiring for the evening Ebon/Artifice
staged his kidnapping, planting physical and magical evidence to incriminate each PC but especially
Marco.
Unknown to the other PCs Ebon rented a second room under the persona Torvar Foesbane Paladin of
Claggedin (dwarven god of battles). The PCs will have seen him about the taproom. If questioned, he
recalls seeing Marco sharing a drink with two less than reputable looking fellows the previous day and
also seeing them leave the tavern together. Torvar will offer his assistance should the PCs desire it.
[Paladin powers. Detect evil, heal, protect from evil 10 feet, turn undead].
Ebon can mimic detect evil and healing with spells. Pro vs evil with 3rd level mage spell. Command
undead is a second level wizard spell that Cult of the Dragon mages can learn (could Ebon find the dead
Dragon Cult mage's home and raid his spellbook?).

n find traces of more

vination, and necromancy.

s summoning type, within

onic summoning type),
ially obscuring).
o wall.

Lost and away

Blood rules the day
In circle spilt
The soul to slay.
One of ours always watches
One of ours always sees

One of ours can always reach you

Ending with your fruitless pleas
Abandon hope, this foolish quest
Or join this one in endless death
Sigil at bottom. Felibar Blacklance's boss wizard