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You sigh.  You realize you have little idea what you're getting yourself into, but you can't pass up a chance at earning a fresh set of clothes and some much-needed spare provisions.  "Alright, I'll help."  The woman's face lights up.  "But I have to let my guide know about the change in plans."  The man was nice enough but you just knew he was going to jack up the price on his services for this.

"Oh of course, m'aldy, whatever you need!" the woman says ecstatically.  "Thank you, thank you so much!"

"I expect payment," you say as you slide out of the water.  "I need provisions and clothes.  We can discuss the rest with your village elder or whoever is in charge after the job is done."

"Oh, yes, of course, absolutely," the woman says, climbing to her feet and collecting her herbs.  You catch her checking out your wet, naked form.  You smirk and put an extra bit of sway in your hips as you walk around to dry off and put your clothes back on.

Together you head back to the road.  Something immediately strikes you as off.  Your guide was nowhere to be found.  It's possible he got fed up of waiting and simply left, but you hadn't been asleep that long when the woman found you.  You spot something near a tree a few dozen yards in the opposite direction of the woman's village.  You start in that direction, but the woman stops after a few steps.  "I can't go that far," she says nervously.  "The curse... if I do, I'll..."

"Then stay right there where I can see you," you say.  You approach the object, recognizing it as your guide's travel pack.  His clothes are still with it, arms looped through the straps, but in his clothing was only dust and bones.  A chill runs down your spine.  You cast a spell of detection and immediately know that this was the work of dark magic.  You suddenly realize you never asked for any details of this woman's situation.  This may be more than you bargained for.


[[D&D: Start back for Waterdeep while you still can.]]

[[D&D: Confront the woman about this situation and find out everything you can before you continue.]]

[[D&D: The woman and her hedge-mage partner spring a trap on you!]]

[[Category:Dungeons and Dragons]]