A Sly Happening...

[DM Betelgeuse]

Deep within the Bramble Wood, outside of the ancient ruins, the wind had begun to pick up. There was nothing peculiar about this, nature is nature, but as the wind began to blow harder the distinct sound of combat framed with the crescendo of a thousand voices speaking harsh, unsettling language could be heard.

The animals had fled the area in fear, the silence of the surrounds made the voices sound louder. They echoed off the trees, the clashing of claws and hide a subtle undertone.

A nearby wall started to distort, like it was being looked at through a thick and clear liquid. It shimmered and moved in a way that no natural thing should. BANG! A humanoid like shape appeared to protrude from the wall, slowly retracting with a pained howl. Slight bumps appeared and disappeared suddenly, as if somebody was trying to punch through. As quickly as it started, it vanished.

Smoke began to rise from the grass below the wall and the smell of fire, ash and brimstone began to fill the area. After a few moments a flaming pentagram burst into life that burned violently for a few moments before dissipating leaving just a burn mark in the perfect shape of a pentagram.

Inside the burned pentagram was a scorched parchment on which two words were visible... "Alyster Lang". The feathered hat had a tag attached to it. It read...

"Sly, A. #3637286"

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

It doesn't take long, half a day, before someone has told someone in Greatgaunt, who told someone on the way to Roar, who told someone and so on, result being that within the day, Alyster is on the scene with an escort of Alizarin staff. As they fan out in the area searching for the reported writing, pentagram, and headgear.

Alyster is called to a location not long after "Lordmaster, we have found the site, it does appear as reported."

The Bard quickly follows the Black Robed and hooded mage to the site. Observing his name written there, and retrieving the somewhat scorched hat of Ardaan the Sly and the crispy parchment from it's center. He examines the tag, looks around the area again and relays an order "See if there is anything else to find and report to me in Roar, at the Imp. I have ongoing business in the city but this is important, keep me abreast of the situation. Look for lingering magic, see if you can find an inkling of whats happening."

Alyster departs the area alone, his mind troubled by the many swirling events in which he has been caught up, and the ill timing of it all. Gently turning the old scorched hat in his hands and looking at it as he walks "I guess the fun is in finding out..."

[DM Betelgeuse]

A group of adventurers, highly seasoned, are seen boarding the caravan to Skullcrag, talking of the Bramble...