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Story of the First Stone:

In the depths of the Forest of the Enri sits a village that still entertains many of the old customs. According to stories with long lost origins, criminals cornered on the streets were once stoned by mobs of angry people. One day a sage was walking through town and came upon such a display of brutality. He placed himself between the young accused girl and the mob. He declared that only one who has never broken a law should throw the first stone. Many people picked up additional stones and prepared to throw them. Each waited for the "good people" to throw their rocks first. It never happened. The sage took the girl under his protection. In later years she was proven innocent of the charges against her and became a valued member of society; something that never could have happened had she been killed that day. The name of the sage and the girl were lost over time. Or maybe these things never occurred and it is merely a child's tale. But from this act the phrase "First Stone" came to be used to mean "Mercy".

The Story Continues:

Over the years people latched on to the legend of the Mercy Stone and expanded upon it. A courthouse was built and on its benches were placed five stones each. The first was of course called "Mercy" representing the "First Stone" cast and the people's will for tolerance. The next three represented various levels of justice and the viewpoints involved (Objective, Subjective of the Accused, Subjective of the Accuser). But when all other options are exhausted and justice has failed, the people demanded the right for vengeance. From this law the phrase "Last Stone" came to be used to mean "Final Option" or "Balance".

Balance Demanded:

15 days ago caravans poured out of Sor-Tai, Marlandia, and Dragons Den bound for the Enri Valley in the Eastern Barriers. Despite it's presence in the Forbidden Zone, no resistance was found as people swarmed to help out the residents beset by a plague like none seen in this lifetime. Striking deep at the heart of the community, it was wiping out children, the weak, and the elderly.

7 days ago evidence of foul play was found and the accused was cornered by the local population. Beaten, and imprisoned, he has made an appeal to Agridor and the Guild of Champions for help. Claiming his innocence, his plea asks for intervention and rescue. He also claims to be able to prove his side of the story, but believes he will not live long enough to tell of it. He is being kept on public display until a sentence of death is carried out. Only a "strongly" worded warning from the Regional Sheriff on behalf of the Guild has spared his life this long.

The Guild has assembled its available members for this mission. If you agree to undertake the task, you will be presented with additional information. But be cautious. The region is volatile to begin with and no one knows if the Old Ones will allow for the "First Stone" for such a massive trespass. The accused claims to be well off and has offered 100,000gp for those willing to rescue him. An additional 500,000gp awaits those who can find the actual villain. The Guild is uncertain as to his ability to pay such grand bounties, but the stability of the region is definitely of concern.

A virulent plague. An angry mob. Unknown terrain. The power of the Old Ones. The pleas of an accused prisoner. The mystery of the story behind the story. And the potential for both wealth and death. Are you ready for such a task? Is anyone?