Stolen Souls

Story Synopsis

A cult is stalking and killing marked individuals. This cult proclaims to capture the souls of their victims and send them to Myrkul the god of death.
The best anyone can tell the cults origins seem to root near the village of Lanercost. The village is known to have been settled too close to a temple dedicated to Myrkul.
Who is leading this cult? Is it true they are able to send souls directly to Myrkul and bypass other gods, namely Kelemvor? Can it be stopped, who is next, and why do they pick specific targets?
Thorndyke, the leader of a thieves guild based in Lanercost, might have a problem related to the soul capturing. His ill-mannered nephew decided to venture into a Myrkul temple. Several days later a ransom note was delivered by Goblins for his nephew’s release. Thorndyke is in a difficult position. Sending guild members to rescue the little known errant nephew would be scrutinized by the guild, misuse of resources and power. And if he pays the ransom, he will look weak and might damage the guilds reputation. His best course could be to discreetly hire adventurers; paid out of his own pocket.

Game Play

^{Note, the degree (High/Med/Low) could change, this is how I see it before the adventure begins.
Roleplaying. This is based on initial NPCs involved and not character to character.}
Special Addition: Opportunity to play The Lingering Soul class
http://www.dmsguild.com/product/226513/The-Lingering-Soul--Class-PostDeath
Type: Town and Temple
Dungeon Crawling: High (cave, temple)
Exploration: Medium
Mystery: Medium
Outdoor Adventure: Low
Politics: Low
Roleplaying: Medium

Possible Character Motives

You feel you might be marked by the Myrkul cult

You were killed by the cult but your soul managed to escape the ritual and is now a Lingering Soul

Know a victim of the cult

Troubled by the thought of unnatural capturing of souls

Explorer of Myrkul temples, which are rare

Secretly recruited by Thorndyke to free his nephew