Altar of Shadows

The dark god Mask has found his Chosen, but for what purpose?

• Cosmina Masella: CG Female Elan Telepath
• Densen: CE Male Human Cleric (NPC) (Deceased)
• Istley Von Nostriclun: CG Male Gnome Beguiler
• Kyoshiro: CG Male Human Chosen of Mystra
• Shayde: LE Male Human Assassin (NPC Cohort)

Where there is coin, there are dark forces who seek power. And in Selgaunt, the city of merchants, forces of shadow are on the rise. An unsuspecting group of heroes has converged on Sembia, each wandering the world for different reasons. The priest Densen, a Dawnbringer of Lathander, is searching for his soul for is weakening faith. Kyoshiro, a medicine man from Kara Tur far from his home, suffers from unusual blackouts. A survivor of an ancient empire, Cosmina, seeks meaning to continue her unending life. Finally the gnome Istley searches for new magic and knowledge in the world of the tall folk.

The story begins at the Broken Coin Inn in Selgaunt, where each of the heroes has arrived independently. Without warning, assassin wizards send fireballs into the inn, killing nearly all within. Only the heroes survived, slaying the assassins without answering the question, why? As another fire broke out, the priest Densen told the others that he knew where the fire was. The merchant clan Thalmont was under attack, patrons who sponsored the priest. The group rushed to the clan manor, to find that many of the hired guards had turned against their employers. The heroes slew the enchanted guards. Some of the heroes rushed into the burning manor, while others stayed outside to protect and guide the survivors out of the compound. Cosmina took a black orb from the body of an assassin that she killed, it seemed to call out to her.

The priest Densen thanked the others for helping saving his patrons, though he was out of a job. He took them to the Dimming Stars Inn to rest for the night. In the morning, the group met to discuss what had happened. Cosmina showed the others the orb, something that Densen recognized. He knew that the fallen merchant patriarch had purchased the orb, and that he had planned on speaking with an oracle about it. The group was curious, so they agreed to go see the oracle that Densen mentioned. They found a mad man, scrawling on walls. He spoke in riddles, but he told the group that they must travel north. The orb was a map, to guide them to a hidden temple.

A shadowy figure who seemed to be following the group, decided that it was time to take the orb from the group. He told them that they had to prove themselves worthy. Each hero tried to strike the man, only to be mortally wounded for the attempt. In an amazing stroke of luck, Cosmina used her psionic power to steal the orb from the man''s hand. While she knew that the attacker could easily take it back, she asked the man if she had sufficiently proven her worth. He nodded, then disappeared into the shadows.

The group promptly departed the city, traveling North for many days. Within eyesight of a mysterious forest, a formian giant attacked the group. During the battle, each person heard a voice, mocking and laughing at them. The priest Densen seemed to be the most affected, as his faith seemed to be broken. He was not able to sucessfully call upon his god for assistance. As the battle waged on, the medicine man Kyoshiro seemed to change. The cowardly potion peddler pulled a flaming sword from his sleeve and started tearing the giant apart. Not only had his personality changed, but his eyes had changed as well. While the group recovered from the battle, Densen cursed Lathander, throwing away his medallion of faith. He wandered off into the darkness, explaining that he was going to find a way to pray to his new lord. When he returned, the remaining group could tell that something had drastically changed within the man. By then, the medicine man seemed to have returned to his womanizing, cowardly self.