Flight from Zamora

I. Marshal the City Guard!

All over the Great Crossroads, on every street and in every tavern, rumours were brewing of trouble in the city, and the appearance of reward posters only confirmed what many already suspected. The King's guard was in a lockdown mode, searching buildings all over town, and interrogating people left and right.

Just yesterday, the King had announced that a treacherous attack had been committed on one of the city's temples, and that many innocent members of the congregation had been murdered. The perpetrators were still at large, and known to be armed and dangerous. During the investigations, the King further revealed, it had been discovered that dozens of townsfolk had gone missing in the days prior to the incident, almost certainly the work of these diabolical criminals. Fear was creeping into the minds of the townsfolk, and many had taken to hiding out in their homes until the troubles blew over.

But the King soothed their fears, assuring them that matters were well in hand, for one of the victims had survived the attack and had identified the attackers: Six men, known by many in the region as Redemption...

A Yuan-ti warrior on the prowl...

II. A Clandestine Farewell

Just a few miles from Zamora, the hunted party and their Guildmaster, Zhed, sit in quiet conversation in a corner of a local safehouse pub. The Nightwatch leader appears weary and a bit aggravated.

"When I heard about the attack, I suspected Ma Baker was involved. Her grudge with the snake cult is well known. I did not expect to find you in the middle of this," a smile appears at the corner of his lips, "but I am pleasantly surprised to discover you survived. The Yuan-ti are not something to tamper with at your young age...you are quite lucky to be alive. While I admire your bravery, it will come at a cost. A reward has been posted for your capture, and the city militia pursues you."

"You must leave the area immediately, and not return to Zamora for some time...I cannot say how long...perhaps a few months, perhaps a year. The King has some personal connection to this cult you have insulted, and he is the type to hold a grudge. And, my spies report that Yuan-ti agents are even now expanding their search beyond the borders of the city. You must flee, and there is no time to waste."

He unrolls the crude map and motions in several directions.

"You could go North to High Oak, but Ozrick knows there are elves among you and may suspect you will head that direction. He will not expect you to take the road south. It is less well known, and more lawless. There are a few settlements of note in that direction, and I should be able to contact if need be. I will send news when I can. Until then, stay clear of Zamora."

With that, he grabs his pack and weapons, then stands to depart, turning once more to deliver a final warning, "Be on your guard in the Southlands. There are pockets of civilisation, but much of the region is primitive and shrouded in mystery and superstition. Pockets of Shadowlands are known to be soutwest of Timora. And, if you hit the coast, you are at the edges of the world...go any further and I cannot help you."