Trek to Haven -- Ebon Heart
The party discovers (and eliminates) a small group of cultists called the Ebon Hand. In the course of the adventure, Perrin Forester is killed but returns to "life" as a Deathless.
Opening
While heading south towards Hotempa, the party stopped in St. Kerwyn. As soon as they rode through the gates, they were approached by a page, who insisted - voiciferously - that the party come see his master, Rivver Caine, as they were expected..
Rivver invited the party to his manor and requested their help investigating unusual recent disturbances. His wife had died 2 weeks before in a riding accident, and while she lay in state, his manservant went to prepare the family crypt. He was attacked as soon as he entered the grounds, by forces unseen, and returned, shaken and barely clinging to life.
It turns out that Caine had sent to Hotempa for assistance from the Order of the Holy Compass, and the party was mistaken for their response.
Climax
That night, Kimo and Baelwren were ambushed in their room by Cirid Bertram, the cousin of Rivver's wife. He proved unnaturally hard to kill, but after a battle ranging over most of the manor, the Companions prevailed. The discovered that Cirid was some heretofore unknown pseudo-undead creature, lacking a physical heart.
Further investigation revealed a gruesome dungeon beneath the manor that served as a minor temple for a cult called the Ebon Hand. The party explored the family cemetary and found it, too, infested with cultists, this time a trio of corrupted dryads capable of blinking around the battlefield. The party prevailed, but at a cost...
Fall of a Hero
In the final cemetary battle against the dryads, Perrin fell victim to a Sleep spell and was rudely decapitated when momentarily left unattended in the course of battle. He was subsequently re-animated as a Deathless by forces unknown.
Notable Treasure
Magic Gimp Suit (+2 leather armor, including masked hood)
Quote of the Night
Jamie: You're one of the most sober people in the room...
Scott: But I'm DEAD!