In recently-formed Zaklanada, trouble brews. A coalition of Splinters, would-be scholars and former mercenaries struggle to maintain their burgeoning city. The ideals of Drakkeln are lofty, its ambitions optimistic, and one of its largest cities is barely holding together. The Lizardfolk migrated halfway across the continent to find a haven, only to be forced to share it with the very races who have proved a danger to them in the past. The other humanoids bemoan a leadership composed of Lizardfolk they do not respect and Splinters they fear. Then, people start disappearing off the streets. Is the pursuit of advancing civilisation proving too unwieldy to manage? What good is paying taxes to a city that cannot protect its citizens? Strange footprints and discarded items from the disappeared lead an investigator to the paths surrounding Zaklanada that lead into the forest. Splinter-in-training Vutry Bluntwhip journeys bravely into the woods to uncover the culprit. A week later, his mace and pendant are found in a riverbank. Wedged in the wooden handle of the mace is a shard of obsidian, the kind only found in the belly of the mountain adjacent to the city. Spread thin, Zaldanada's ruling council of Lizardfolk assigns a slapdash group to delve into the heart of the mountain and unearth the threat to their burgeoning civilisation. You are a member of that group.
