Missing in Action

Chapter One: Missing in Action
The party is gathered at Ozzie's Bar in Bessan. Inventor and owner of McKieran Enterprises, Mitus McKieran, has gone missing. His daughter, Diana, hires the party to investigate his disappearance and bring him home. She explains that the police have been dismissive of the case, and believe he is simply out of town.

The party was recommended to Diana by an individual named Adler. If asked about Adler, Diana knows nothing about them except that they are a long time friend of Mitus.
Diana offers a payment of one thousand crowns for her father’s safe return. She offers only half as much for evidence of his death.

Diana explains that the party should begin their investigation either at the McKieran Estate or at Mitus’ office at the McKieran Entreprises Factory on the other side of town.

Searching the office, the party locates an oddly shaped key along with a sealed envelope addressed to Adler.
If the party chooses to open the letter, it reveals that Mitus was investigating an individual known to him only as Brother Slate. The letter also describes his own search for something called the Emberstone.
A hidden code within the letter also reveals the code to a safe hidden in his room that he instructs Adler to open in the case of his disappearance.
Searching the home reveals a hidden safe behind a painting in the lounge and a hidden trapdoor in the cellar. The trapdoor can be opened with the odd key from the office, while the safe’s code is hidden in the letter.
Inside the safe are various notebooks detailing Mitus’ search for the emberstone and his encounter with Brother Slate. There is also another letter to Adler, asking them to take care of his daughters and continue his search. Finally, a shard of glass on a necklace lies in the safe beneath the notes. This is a shard of the Key of Dol’ir.
The basement contains Mitus’ personal laboratory, which is littered with items he has collected over the years, including four statues engraved with faded names. A regional map shows a circled area with the word “Hideout?” written in it.

Heading to this location marks the end of this chapter.