The First, and Certainly Not Last, Waltz with the Wolves

Expedition

The body of Daphne's assistant, Orethel, is found not far outside of town with a strange artifact on his person. The party are attacked by wolves with some strange bramble infection which spreads into Darius' leg.

---

The party heads towards the fields outside of the town, the assistants last known location. Just as the night is starting to get dark they find his body. It is in a lightly forested area just past the fields and has clearly been purposefully dragged across the path. The arm that he has been dragged by is slightly detached from his body, his betrothal band lays shattered next to him. It appears like he has been dead for days. On his person is a letter from his lover, Bolvar, that reads:   "Th'auor si tharase, I am begging you to come home, It's no Thaydalen but it is real - unlike what that witch has promised you. Running her errands - however lucrative it may be only serves to cement the mayors power over us. Return to me and together we can escape to the salt prince - he'll protect us.   I love you, Orethel, from this dawn and through the long night coming.  

Bolvar"

Also on his person is a strange artifact: a small wooden cylinder with a whirlpool and teeth carved into it which would soon be discovered to give off a light that only you and other holders of such artifacts can see. From the woods comes two wolves that begin to attack the party. These wolves do not appear to be normal though, they are plagued with some strange bramble infection. One of the wolves manages to bite down into Darius' leg, spreading the infection into it, later leading to it being amputated.