The figure that stands before Bishkek and Dismet in the narrow covered streets of Wintershiven’s poor quarter is as imposing as the bleak walls that tower around you. He hefts a long dark katana that he has just pulled from the solid stones of the cobbled street. His black cloak flows about his massive bulk and his dark hair frames a face concealed by an Ashaba mask - the kind of decorative face shield found in a Darkland play.

The sounds of the street have all but disappeared and seem to be in another world as your attention is utterly focused upon the figure before you. Moments earlier the cacophony of city life was all around you - now there is silence. Time seems to slow as he stands as still as a mountain.

His voice, when it comes, is surprisingly soft and cultured, educated and sophisticated. It has no hint whatsoever of Darkland influence, seeming to originate from southern Greyhawk rather than any foreign shores.

"The sharpest sword does not always produce the deepest cut," he says slowly. "Nor does the blackest mask produce the greatest enemy.

"There is a trap here, dark ones, a trap of subtle complexity and massive force. The enemies of your companions amass here and unless you deflect their travel you will all perish. Your flight to the cold citadel of Vlekstaad is more than a matter of a race against the onset of winter. It involves powers that will sweep aside the old values and crush nations if it goes unchecked.

"I am aware of what you might perceive me to be - but I can assure you that I am not Ishiaki. Nor do I consort with the gods. My agenda is closely linked with your own and indeed my existence depends upon your success. There are several things you must do without question, dark ones.

"First, you must seek The Well of Forgiveness. It is situated just off the Duke’s Highway. There you must seek an old beggar who walks with a crooked stick and who awaits another stranger. The beggar is noble in many respects. This meeting will prove to be the most important political event of the millennium and you must be there to witness it. You must approach unseen and maintain discreet, your survival depends upon it.

"Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, you must avoid any temple. Dismet, your womb is the most valuable commodity on Greyhawk and you might be disturbed to hear of the lengths that the gods will go to get their hands upon it.

"My words must seem strange to you and I can hear your disquiet and sense your mistrust. It is true that I know things that I could not possibly know but my frustration is similar to yours for the Law forbids me to say certain things and only allows our conversation to be one way. No matter. Your power is the one true indisputable fact in your lives but even that is being manipulated by Nature.

"We must all play by the rules of Nature, but you must be aware that your own Void power has been usurped and ultimately controlled by Nature herself. The druid possesses one third of your power and thus She can contain it’s growth and continue to frustrate your attempts to come to grips with it. Destroy the druid and liberate your power - before Nature spreads this Primal Force between her worshippers and contains the Void forever..."

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