Rumors of Mist Lake

[Rinzler]

In the late hours of the cycle, roughly a half dozen mercenaries with the insignia of Bregan D’aerthe adorned on their cloaks move with quiet efficiency as they prepare a substantial number of crates within the inner garrison. The crates, organized by their contents such as preserved foods, bandages, an assortment of scrolls and potions, whetstones, weapons, and ammunition, to name a few, wait to have their contents inspected by a quartermaster who compares their inventories against a detailed parchment held in his hand. Once satisfied, the quartermaster gives a wave of his hand for the crate to be taken to the armory.

Two males stand atop a banister that overlooks the gathering of supplies. Their conversation seems to be primarily casual with intermittent periods of seriousness when approached periodically by the quartermaster. After a number of hours, the two descend from their perch to enter the compound along with the rest of their company.

In the cycles since, the mercenary compound has continued to receive a steady cadence of crated supplies. While the contents would be unknown to the naked eye, the individuals accompanying these shipments have been quite diverse. What is most noticeable, however, is that despite a growing number of crates entering the compound, nothing of substantial proportion has been seen leaving it. What's more, is that the number of Bregan guards that typically stroll the banks of the lake have lessened of late. . . seemingly remaining within the compound for extended periods of time.

[Rinzler]

In less than a full cycle since the abandoned silver mine collapsed, more than one group of travelers has passed through the lake seeking a new route to the surface. Never one to miss an opportunity, Bregan D'aerthe has substantially increased its premiums for navigation and smuggling. Profits have surged like a river after torrential rains. For one particular group of travelers, however, a simple kiss of the hand proved too much a price to bear.