After two days gathering the needed supplies, with Arsosa indicating that the 
galley had contracted for a shipment of iron ingots and coal headed for Marach, 
the ship is ready to head out.
 
The ship takes another week to reach Marach.  Upon docking, Arzosa informs 
Menaria that he will be travelling a trade route between the two cities, and to 
check in at the docks should her party need any additional transportation.
 
The city of Marach is a bustling metropolis, and despite it's proximity to 
Redwater (which lays to the north across the Bay of Marach) has a large non-
human population.  Laid out like most cities, the rulers live in the center of 
the city, with the religious temples scattered about the city.
 
As the party enters the temple, a marriage ceremony is being performed.  Like 
all such ceremonies performed in temples of this goddess, both the bride and 
groom are totally naked.
 
Menaria enjoys the ceremony as it goes on, gladden to be able to concentrate on 
something else besides what has been going on.
 
After three hours of this ceremony (and it is a very beautiful wedding), the 
newlyweds are escorted to the temple's luxury room to consumate their coupling.  
The High Priestess of the temple approaches the group.
 
"Good afternoon, Sister," she addresses Menaria, "and welcome home.  What news 
from abroad?"
 
Even without arms or armor, Tana maintains a position of Menaria's guard, to the 
right and one step behind. He casually observes the celebration, with a detached 
air about him.
 
Upon the High Priestess's greeting she smiles back at the woman. "Greetings to 
you, Sister." She looks around then back at the High Priestess. "Is there 
somewhere we can talk in a more private area? I need to ask you some very 
important questions."
 
"Certainly.  Come into my office."  She looks at the rest of the party.  "All of 
you are welcome."
 
She leads them to a plush room that is one part office space, one part bedroom, 
and one part clothes storage.
 
Tana follows quietly, making as little noise as possible, ever vigilant, even in 
a temple where there are no other visible weapons.
 
"Now, my children," she asks, sitting rather seductively on the edge of the bed, 
"how may I be of service?"
 
Menaria chuckles and smiles at the High Priestess's 'office'. "We have just come 
from Penticon and Caer Zitheral as well. Have you heard the terrible news about 
the murders? The High Priestess from Penticon mentioned to us about the theft of 
a particular object that happend around three months ago. We are here to 
investigate this theft and hopefully find a means to recover it." 
 
"You speak of the unholy object stolen from here?  Why would you be interested 
in that?"
 
"It is for that reason, it appears that these murders have been executed, you 
holiness." Tana quietly interjects.
 
"Then I must relate to you what happened that night.  It was following the 
Festival of Galsus, and we were, to be honest, exhausted after performing our 
services for people during it.  An unknown party bypassed and disabled all of 
our magical security devices we had in our basement vault, and stole only that 
one item.  We had considered it an inside job; but intensive questioning of all 
the sisters revealed nothing, even when subjected to special truth potions.  
Discrete inquiries among the Thieves Circle have proven nothing.  And we 
hesitate to think of it being in Redwater hands, although they're likely to just 
stash it in their rumored black vault for such things if they can't destroy it."
 
She sighs, letting her golden hair fall across her shoulders as she leans 
forward.  "We've run out of options.  And now your news of someone killing for 
it.  This does not bode well at all."
 
GM's Note: The Festival of Galsus is a week-long festival, from the new moon to 
new moon, that celebrates the time Galsus and Hassann spent shaping the world 
and creating the animals and beasts that populate it.  It generally corresponds 
with the week leading up to the spring equinox.