The journey from the Hyena protectorate to Arlan was uneventful. Along the way the heroes are greeted by the many people who call the Savannah home. Some families are returning for the first time since evacuating the forest’s spread. Their homes are most likely destroyed, but their families, friends, and neighbors are safe and together again.

Approaching Arlan from the South, the heroes pass through a large stone arch and are greeted by a site they have not yet seen in their travels together. Being the capital city of Caven, Arlan is very diverse. Travelers from across Virra travel to and through Arlan on a daily basis for diplomatic purposes, business dealings, or pleasure. Unlike the rest of Caven (or even the rest of the Wolf protectorate) where the tribes cater to a very specific set of creatures, Arlan hosts Wolves, Elk, Bears, Cats, Birds, and creatures of all shapes and sizes.

Once within the town square a few sights immediately jump out to the group. At the center of town stands a large statue. Standing at least 12 feet high, the statue depicts the three ruling species of Caven, the Fox, the Hyena, and the Wolf, surrounded by smaller depictions of their protectorate species: Raccoons, Prairie Dogs, Elk, etc. The statue is surrounded by a public park, complete with stocked pond, a grassy field, a large tree, and a walking path with benches.

Directly to the right of the town square entrance sits Third Pig Construction. Outside the ground is covered in rubble and rock dust. An aggravated looking pig is brushing the debris into a dust pan while across the square a female badger dresses a mannequin in a large wolf costume outside Granny’s Costume Shoppe.

On the East side of the Square sits Fitz’s Finds, a well known dealer of adventurer gear found throughout Virra. A surly looking tabby cat with white patches sits in wait outside the door. To the West stands Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food, the tavern where the heroes are to meet Talbot. Their meeting with Talbot is not for a few hours, giving our heroes a chance to relax, gear up, and explore Arlan. Without hesitation the weary travelers make a beeline for Fitz’s Finds.

As they approach, the cat standing outside perks up and approaches them, “Yess, helloo, welcome to Fitz’s Finds. Come, come, yess.” He says as he waves them in. The heroes enter and the cat closes the door behind them before hopping around counter. “Welcomee, I’m Harold, but you may call me Fitzzz. Here at Fitz’s Finds we have evverything you want, evverything you need, and some… rarer things you won’t want to livve without. Is there something Fitzz can do for yoouu?”

One by one the heroes upgrade their weapons and armor, trading in their old to get discounts on stronger options. Fitz is a tough but fair negotiator who is not afraid to bargain. Once the heroes feel fully equipped, Fitz offers them something a little more exotic. Behind him sits five mystery boxes said to contain some of Virra’s most powerful or at least…unique items.

Kaja is the first to bite. For 50 silver Harold perks up and grabs a random box. It’s a small cube with a hinge on the back. Harold’s eyes widen as she opens it. Inside sits a simple, unassuming, uninspiring brass ring. Harold is giddy with excitement.

“That is a very special item, indeed.” he says. “That is the Ring of Pooping Back and Forth Forever.”

“The what?” asks Kaja.

“The Ring of Pooping Back and Forth Forever. The wearer of that ring will bounce between states of constipation and diarrhea endlessly until the ring is removed”

“So it’s like, a gag gift?”

“Nooo, no, no, nooo, my dear. This item is extremeeely powerful. If you can manage to slip it on to a targets finger, they will innnstantly fall under its charm and become… incapacitated until the ring’s remooval.”

“Thanks?”

“You are most welcome my brave traveler. Anyone else care to take on a mystery box?” Zmaj, strangely intrigued by the possibilities approaches next. The box she receives is long and narrow, hinged in the back. She opens it to reveal a silver glinted arrow with a pulsing purple aura.

“Ooooooohh.” exclaims Harold. “THAT my scaly friend, is Time’ss Arrowww. A very powerful tool indeed. Almost guaranteeed to aim true, Time’s Arrow strikes your target not just once, but repeatedly into the foreseeable future, increasing its damage with each strike. Be careful though, Time’s Arrow can not be retrieved after use as it continues flying through timmeee and ssspaccce. Hopefully, to land in the handsss of another adventurerr sssomee day.” Zmaj safely stores the arrow away and thanks Harold.

Spleen steps up to the counter next, placing his silver down as Harold grabs his box. It’s a squat, almost flat, square box with a hinged back. Spleen opens the box to reveal a leather necklace. On it hangs a sea shell with a amethyst stone charm embedded into it.

“Yes, The Siren’s Necklace,” says Harold. “Wearing this should make you much more convincing when trying to sway someone and indeed more importantly, should make you farrr more popular with the ladies… or gentlemen. Other machines? What have you. This shall surely… greasse the wheeelss,” Harold chuckles to himself.

Lokura’ approaches. “I noticed you really like these mystery boxes.” he says.

“Oh I do sir. Cataloging, collecting, and exchanging them is something I’m vverryyy passsionate about.” Harold responds

“I thought so. You’d probably like to see what’s in that mystery box there.”

“I very much would sir, it’s not my place to spoil the fun though.”

“Very well, would you do it for 40 silver?”

Harold shifts nervously, glancing from the silver to the box and back again while tapping his fingers on the counter top and biting his lip. “Very well sir, you have a deal. But thisss time FITZzz gets to open the box.” Harold grabs the small cube shaped box, opening it with glee. “Ohhhohohoho…” he smiles turning the box to Lokura’. Inside sits a ring stamped with a visage of death himself. “The Ring of the Ferryman” Harold whispers. “The wearer of this ring shall cast their spells with ease, channeling the helpful hand of death himself. You be careful now. You’ll shoot an eye out.” Lokura’ places the ring on his hand and steps back while Harold laughs to himself.

“What about you, my Koala frrriend? I still have one myyssstery box.” asks Harold.

“I don’t have enough sir.” responds Cinereus.

“Oh, that is a sha-” Harold stops, frozen in place. He smells the air, looking to the left, the right, then to Cinereus. “Is that… Peppermint Patties I smell?”

“Ye-, yes?”

“A very rare treat indeed. Tell me how much do you have?”

“About 20 silver.”

“Very well, you may have my last mystery box for 20 silver and a peppermint pattyyy.”

“That’s quite a discount, how about two peppermint patties and 10 silver?”

Harold’s eyes go wide. He smells them up close. “Are those original recipe?”

“They are.”

Without hesitating Harold snatches the peppermint patties and the silver from Cinereus and hands him his mystery box while he leans back, taking in his new treats. Harold turns to the rest of the confused group. “They changed the recipe and stopped making the old ones. It’s a whole thing.” He turns back to his peppermint patties, “Oh things are certainly coming up Fitz today.”

Cin’s box is symmetrical with a long skinny section and a bulkier curved section. Opening it reveals a simple acoustic guitar.

“That, my fine negotiator,” Harold says without looking up from his peppermint patties, “is The Guitar of Quad Gully. Playing it in a crowded room will entrance your target and clear the room of those you do not wish to interfere. The better you play, the more people you can clear.” Cinereus packs away his new item and the heroes leave Fitz’s Finds. “I have shops all over Virra,” Fitz yells after them, “be sure to stop in again.”

Once outside Cinereus takes a nap in the park and Lokura’ heads to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food to get something to eat while the rest check to see what is happening at Third Pig Construction. Outside, the pig is still cleaning the mess of rubble and dust in front of his store.

“Is everything okay here?” asks Kaja.

“It would be if people would stop smashing my display.”

“What was here?” asks Spleen.

“Statues. I know, I know, Third Pig Construction. And yes, architecture and construction pays the bills, but true stone craft, statues and figures, that is my passion. I keep some on display and it invites to occasional commission. My baby though is the statue in the center of town. I made that years ago now and people come far and wide to see it.”

“It’s very nice.” Kaja responds, “Would you like help with the vandals?”

“I mean, that would be great. Last night, breaking my work wasn’t enough. They stole the wool blanket I had it draped in. What’s next? You think you could stop by later and we could work something out?”

“Yes, we will.” says Spleen.

“Great, I’ll see what I can get together for you. I’m Terry by the way.”

At Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food, Lokura’ is greeted by Lana, a red dog of almost endless optimism, “Hi! Welcome to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food! I’m Lana! Aren’t you one of the people meeting Talbot here later?”

“I am,” says Lokura’, “I was just hoping to get some food.”

“Oh cool! I have food!”

“Yeah, what do you have?”

“Food!”

“Okay, I’ll have some food. Do you know anything about the display over at Third Pig Construction?”

Lana frowns, “Oh, Terry’s statues? He’s really good! Did you know he made the statue in the center of town? Why would someone break his statues? It’s sad. Now I’m sad.”

“Do you want a hug?”

“I do!”

Lokura’ hugs Lana for a while.

The heroes regroup at the center of town and decide to kill some time at Granny’s Costume Shoppe before their meeting with Talbot. Outside a Badger is still adjusting a wolf costume on a mannequin. Up close, the costume is almost frightening with dark fur and a snarling face.

“Hi!” she says, “Welcome to Granny’s Costume Shoppe. I’m Granny. I know I seem a bit younger, but you know, family names.”

“Hello.” says Lokura’, “Tell me, do you sell a lot of costumes?”

Granny responds quickly, “Not really. We do make some sales, but mostly we do rentals. Costume parties have become pretty popular around here recently. Behind a mask, there’s no judgement if you’re a rabbit or a fox, a deer or a wolf, you’re just you. We even have stilted costumes if you want to be something much bigger than your usual self.”

The heroes enter Granny’s to look around and sure enough they are faced with rows and rows of racks holding costumes of any animal they can think of. Cin and Lokura’ get taken in by the accessory section, trying on different masks, hats, and fake ears. Cin purchases a smooth black elastic mask, covering the top of his head with openings for his eyes. Lokura’ buys the same mask in blue.

As the meeting time approaches the heroes filter in to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food to meet Talbot.

“Hi! Welcome to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food I’m Lana! I believe Talbot is waiting for you at the table in the corner!” says Lana as Kaja enters the door.

Cin enters and waves to Lana, “Hi! Welcome to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food! I’m Lana! I believe Talbot is waiting for you at the table in the corner!

Zmaj and Spleen enter, “Hi! Welcome to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food! I’m Lana! I believe Talbot is waiting for you at the table in the corner!

Lokura’ enters, “Hi! Welcome to Lana’s Lounge and Bar & Grille with Food! I’m Lana! I have your food here! It’s cold! I’ll bring it to your table in the corner!

One by one they join Talbot’s table. “Glad you made it to Arlan safe. I’ve heard good things from Voss and Risa.” Talbot glances to Cinereus, “And you, welcome to the team, buddy.”

Lana brings a plate of food to everyone at the table. Lokura’s food is cold.

“Thanks, Lana.” Says Talbot.

“You’re welcome!” Lana returns to her post at the bar.

Talbot continues, “Look, I’m going to cut to it because really, enough time has passed already and my people are stumped. I don’t see any connection to this ‘Risen Veil’ talk, but you guys were close and we could use a hand. About a week back or so a cub, Reggie, good kid, went missing. His dad was out for the evening, came home, and the k-”

“It’s Fendel” interrupts a drunk patron at the next table.

“That’s enough Rick.” says Talbot.

“It is, it’s true, you’ll know about Fendel?” Rick asks. The group looks on, curious while Talbot puts his hand to his head and Spleen remains expressionless.

Rick continues, “Fendel was a proud father o’ 3 y’ung cubs. He’d spend his days a’ home with ‘hem and when they were tucked in f’r the night he’d come to town to get veg’tables or fish and talk off th’ ear of whoever would lis’n. He’d return home to make dinner with his wife and go to bed planning ‘ventures for him and his cubs to take the next morning. Happy lit’le fam’ly.’

“One night the cubs took a little too long t’ fall asleep ‘nd the shops ‘ad all closed. So, he went in t’ see if the tavern ‘ad any goods to trade. ‘Sure, sure’ says the barkeep. They give ‘im a drink on th’ ‘ouse while they go look in their stores. ‘e joins a table o’ ot’er fathers. He goes on and on about ‘is cubs. The conversation grows and before he knows it, Fendel’s an hour late. ‘e goes home to ‘is wife, rushes the fish ‘e was able to get and they eat a quiet meal together. Next day, Fendel goes straight to the tavern. He talks with the same group of guys, less ’bout his family, and more about the tribe, Draak war stories, etc. He goes home to more silence and a cold dinner.’

“Weeks this goes on. During the day he’s tired, he’s not involved, he’s quick t’ anger. Fin’ly, he finds ‘imself closing the tavern with a few of the guys and wand’ring the streets. He doesn’t get home until after sunrise. When he does. He’s alone. He thinks to ‘imslef ‘Eh, they must be off hiking.’ so he goes t’ bed. He wakes up, walks around his house, but no one answers his calls. Then ‘e notices things missin’. Clothes, kitchen tools, toys. His family is gon’. He searches for ‘hem. Spends ev’ry day and ev’ry night asking if anyone’s seen ’em. ‘is house falls apart in disrepair. He loses ‘is mind. It must have been a year later that the disappearances started. Cubs, Kittens, Joey’s, didn’t matter. If Fendel thought you didn’t deserve them, he’d take them. ‘e’d take ‘hem and-”

“That’s not what happened” interrupts Talbot. Yes, Fendel was real. He was an old man who lived in Caven and came to town from time to time. He lived alone and whenever some cub got lost in the woods, the whole town grabbed their torches and pitchforks to torture a lonely old man. He died alone when I was a cub, at least 20-30 years ago now. Some of our more… experienced residents still like to bring him up from time to time. Uplifting, eh?”

“Talbot, he’s real! Ask Cecil!” exclaims Rick

“That’s enough Rick! People all over Arlan are getting jumpy and superstitious. It’s a ghost story, used to keep new dads out of the tavern and off the sauce.” Talbot gives Rick the side-eye, “Speaking of which, Rick, how’s Lyle?” Rick puts his drink down with a grunt, grabs his hat, and leaves.

“Is there anyone in particular we should talk to?” asks Spleen.

“Yeah, cub’s dad, Abner, lives just east of the town square, I’ll give you his address.”

“Anyone else?” Asks Zmaj.

Talbot stares at Zmaj for a few seconds before responding to the group, “Yeah, Cecil. A mole, lives not to far from here, claims to have ‘seen Fendel‘ the night the kid went missing. He’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen. It probably won’t get you far though.”

“I don’t know Talbot,” Spleen responds, “with swarms of carnivorous beetles made of rock and living tree monsters roaming Caven, I wouldn’t be so quick to rule out child abducting ghosts.”

“I trust your judgement Spleen. Listen, I’ll be here all night, so if you make some headway and you think you’ve got a suspect, come see me and we’ll make the arrest. Does that work for you?”

The group agrees and sets out to start their investigation. While they are leaving Talbot pulls Spleen in and keeps his voice down. “Spleen,” he says can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Spleen responds.

“Zmaj, can we trust her?”

Spleen answers easily, “She’s been very trustworthy so far and an asset to the team.”

Unconvinced, “Good, good, do me a favor though. Keep an eye on her.”

“Will do.”