About a week after killing the Thayian necromancer, your Captain gets a call on his Omnilens: “This is Janine from the Sidereal Society. Shroudbearer wants to see lucky #13 pronto!”

As you approach the doorway to the headquarters meeting room, you hear an unknown language being spoken. It seems to be in Shroudbearer's gravelly voice, only it sounds more agitated – not the usual steady and composed tone the Retributive Master normally uses.

When you enter the room, you notice that Shroudbearer's tone changes, “Come in – Take a seat” he/she tells you from behind the ornate desk. “The Lord Apprehender expresses much gratitude for the recent expiration of the Thayian necromancer. However, it seems that the necromancer was a bit of a ploy. Wyvern Company 9, currently on a mission in Thay, is missing. Wyvern Company 1, who is also in Thay, is redirecting their mission and investing. Before you ask, we can't afford to send you there and have three companies concentrated in one area. Therefore, we're sending you out to check on a new potential menace.”

Handing you a map Shroudbearer continues, “In the southeast corner of High Imaskar is a border town called Mishtan. Originally, under Mulholrand's rule, this city served as the gateway to the City of the Dead located in the Dragonsword Mountains. Traditionally, the City of the Dead was where Mulhorandi honored their dead. However, after the Spellplague,things changed.

“As with Gheldaneth, Mishtan collapsed. In addition, monsters from the Beastlands invaded the area. The people of Mishtan were able to fight off the creatures and build a wall around the city (shows characters the second map). Soon, the fighting died down.

“However, Mishtan, like most places in Faerun was forever changed. Some of the humanoids from the Beastlands became 'civilized' and stayed in the city. The city turned to linen production and is known for its flax farms. However, the area has also became a little more malevolent. When High Imaskari took over control of the land, Mishtan, like Gheldaneth, swore fealty. However, with the Vengeance Takers spread so thin and the area a border town, they still retained their own local militia.

“Recently, there has been a rash of cattle mutilations outside the city. Locals believe its a band of orcs, calling themselves the 'Redscale tribe' who are responsible. This tribe is recently out of the Beastlands and there is a single large gathering at the base of the Dragonsword Mountains. They won't enter the mountains for fear of the undead who populate the City of Dead.

“In order to keep assumptions down and mission productivity up, the Redwing Guard is going to drop you just outside the city. You are to gather information in Mishtan before you head out toward the orcs. Remember, Mishtan has a good mix of civilians as well as their own soldiers, not to mention more than a few savage traders; it will be a good place to do some digging and stay anonymous. You will need to go in disguise of course, and your lenses will have to stay hidden; so make sure you grab a cowl or hood on your way out.

“After you have finished in Mishtan, head out to the Redscale territory and find out what gives them the guts to enter High Imaskari. Most orcs had been driven from these lands over 2000 years ago after the Orcgate Wars.

“Find them, figure out what they are up to, and get out. Make sure nobody knows you were there or they might step up their activity, but do not start a full scale war either. Get in and get back; we want to know what the hell is going on down there."

The company is air lifted by a Redwing Guard and dropped outside the city of Mishtan.  They spend the whole day gathering information and avoiding detection.  They learn that the Redscale orcs "never come up this far north; they would never risk engaging the local military garrison."  Additionally, they find out that the orcs are "poorly armed and trained; not a serious threat for the city guards."

That night they still at the seediest inn in town, a place called "Peace and Harmony" in order to avoid detection.  The place is frequented by humanoids and run by a goblin.  Their beds, little more than moldy straw pallets, are flea infested.  The next day the company sets out bright and early to look for the orcs.  However, as they travel through town, they are confronted by an angry mob of Kenku in a shadowy and deserted part of the city...