# 1 The Story Begins with a Caravan

DM: Unlike many great adventures, this one doesn't begin in some musty Tavern. Instead, the clanking of wooden wheels pounding a rocky path emanates from a traveling merchant caravan. By coincidence, you all have been hired on as muscle to ensure that these goods make it to their destination, Water Deep. The Sword Coast is infamous for banditry but, you aren't worried. After all, you are hardened adventurers who have honed their skills in and out of combat. After a long day's travel, you begin to bunker down for the night. Sprawling campfires illuminate the mist that bellows in from the coastline. As people circle around, you get a good look at each other. A spry old man, looks at the players and says: "I'm glad I was able to get you to join us, I hate traveling these roads without any backup. What did you say your names were again? My memory seems to be slipping these days." Queue Player Introductions. DM: It seems the man has fallen asleep on you, his soft snoring a tell tale sign. Is there anything you would like to do before bed?

Do any of the players pass out with belongings on them?

DM: The woods are quiet this night, and the air grows chill. Your fire sputters as a low mist gathers around the edges of your camp, growing closer as the night wears on. The next morning, you all awake but not to the sounds of a bustling caravan. Instead there is silence. The caravan is gone. Not only that, everything is gone. Your bedrolls, backpacks, even the campfires have all but vanished. In their place a fog hangs thick in the air, turning the trees around you into gray ghosts. Then you notice, these aren’t the same trees that surrounded you the night before. What do you want to do? You begin walking as the fog clings to you like a damp towel. It eventually lightens up to reveal a soggy, well worn road...