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As the sun goes down over the Hellfurnace Mountains, fingers of shadow extend over the Crater Lake and darkness will fall over Cauldron, the city built on the top of an anciant volcano. But this volcano has not been active for more than three thousand years, so Surabar Spellmason had determined as he founded the city on top of the mountain nearly 700 years ago.
With the darkness comes the fear. The people of Cauldron are wondering, who would be hit next. Who would disappear without trace? No sign of forced entry to their homes, but the belongings and the people would have vanished.
For nearly three months now have the people been disappearing over the city. Terseon Skellerang, Captain of the Town Guard, is under a lot of pressure. He has tripled the patrols during the night, but the raids on the caravans to Sasserine were also taking their toll. What would happen, if not enough food would come to the city, or none at all? The Town Guard was strechted to their breaking point. The Cauldron Herald makes accusations against the Captain, crying out loud, that he is incompetent to stop the vanishing of the citizens. But he is only a man, huge he may be, but easily enraged. Lord Mayor Severen Navalant offered a reward of 100 gold pieces to the one, who would bring him proof, that the "New Vanishing" has stopped, 4 weeks ago. The Town Council raised the reward to 1000 gold pieces a few days ago.
The City is bustling at this time of day. Everyone is trying to get home before the sun is down. Everyone locks himself up in his humble abode and waits for the night to pass. Only in the Ash Avenue would the business thrive, women selling their favors and cheap ale available in seedy taverns. Perhaps the stink of the Crater Lake was responsible, that no one was taken on Ash Avenue. But none of the Lords and Ladies of the Town Council would come down from their high villas on Obsidian Avenue, down the ramps from their high perch with their high noses.
Who would be caught next?
When would the "New Vanishing" strike again?