Dre and Raagnar depart their companion Rio to head back into Waterdeep to deal with Warden's news and Dre's great secret. Raagnar, who didn't really see the message is still extremely curious as to the meaning of these events, but Dre will not discuss the matter on the open road. So the barbarian is left to his own simple thoughts and what the message could possibly mean. Sifting through his memory, Raagnar recalls meeting with Warden and several "associates" one night when he and Dre were returning from a gay night at a popular festhall.

Raagnar was swerving his way back to the inn with Dre straddling his shoulders when five men appeared out of the shadows of an alleyway. Without hesitation the barbarian unsheathed his sword ready for the fight which was certain to occur when a voice from the shadows spoke, "Hold, you idiots, before you get yourself killed."

Instantly Dre bounded off the muscular perch and whispered a word in a tongue Raagnar could not understand. The reply from the darkness of the shadows was just as imcomprehensible, but as the last syllable was spoken, Raagnar noticed that all the late night city sounds had ceased. In their place an eerie stillness surrounded the seven on the street. "Come on, Raagnar, just hold your tongue and be ready with your sword.", Dre whispered as she led the barbarian into the complete blackness of the alley.

Entering the alleyway alone, the two adventurers left behind the five brigands and stepped into vast hall. The ceiling was at least 24 feet above their heads with a balcony running along three of the walls supported with marble columns of exquisite design. They trod on a rich, red velvet carpet toward a throne of immense proportions. Sconces holding continuous light gems were perched on each of the columns leading toward the gilded throne where sat a halfling, feet dangling several feet from the floor. "Welcome, Dre and Raagnar! So good of you to come at my summons."

"Did we truly have any choice in the matter, Warden?", Dre snarled back. At her tone, Raagnar instinctively tensed ready for whatever was to befall them here. He made careful scans of the great hall anticipating trouble from any side.

"Tsk, tsk my bright, lavender flower. Of course you always have a choice. I must apologize for my bodyguards. They are a tad restless now that the Time of Troubles has passed. But please, please, sit, make yourselves comfortable. I have a proposition for you." With his last utterance, two plush chairs appeared behind Raagnar and Dre and a third in front. The halfling hopped from the throne and took the third seat. "May I offer you refreshments?"

"No, thank-you Warden. And I'd suggest you quit the clowning around and get to the point before Raagnar becomes unsettled enough to make you see his point."

With the last comment, Dre plopped into the chair and indicated Raagnar should do the same, to the feigned chuckle of their host. "Very well. Um, yes, I can see that you both have probably had enough frivolity for the evening. Please, sit my muscular friend, I mean no harm." Once Dre nodded ascent, Raagnar tensely eased into the proffered chair, sword still in hand, although, Warden did not seem bothered by weapon in the least.

"You know, Dre, you really ought to pay closer attention to the formalities of a business deal. Didn't you learn anything from our guild over the years?"

"See Raagnar, this is why I try to avoid staying in the city too long. Although, I love Waterdeep and we have such a good time when we are here, I occaisonally have to put up with the Guildmaster Warden, powerful mage, but a lousy thief!"

"Tsk, tsk my dear. I may not have your exceptional skills, but under my great reign of the guild, we have never been more profitable. And in continuing my wonderous legacy as guildmaster, I have a proposal for you and your brutish friend which will increase the size of both our purses."

"Oh? And why are Raagnar and I so lucky to receive this opportunity when you have such vast resources at your disposal in Waterdeep?"

"Ahhh, but you see, I have no one with your unique talents at my disposal." With that, Warden leveled his gaze at Raagnar..

"Enough talk!", Raagnar snarled baring his lengthening incisors and rising from his chair. "Come Dre, I have heard enough of this foolishness!"

"No!" Dre shouted rising to Raagnar's side, eyes wide as slowly Raagnar's form is altering from man to wolf. "This can't be happening!"

"Oh but, I'm afraid it can. Since your muscle-headed friend's ressurrection the curse of his tribe has been renewed and I have the means to call forth those powers at will. Observe..." Warden utters one last word, an ancient sounding word and with his hands a hasty spell is cast. Instantly Raagnar is frozen in his place and his change from large human to large wolf is completed, the snarl still on his lips. Dre immediately attempts to move to unsheath her dagger but finds that she too immoble. She croaks through clenched teeth, "What do you want."

"Hear me out, Dre. I truly do not intend any harm with my simple demonstration." The halfling stands and walks around the two immobile forms, smiling satisfactorily. My proposition is of benefit to us both. As you can see from my silly demontration, I have the means to turn Raagnar from man to wolf at will. I am willing to share this power with the brute, if you and he would do a small favor for the guild. In addition, I would be willing to pay you both handsomely for your services. For the last few months, I've had my spies out gathering information on a certain cache of jewels and magic items which would bring this guild great wealth and prestige. At this time, we are very close to finding the whereabouts of this cache. Once that information is gotten, I need you and your associate's talents, to determine the validity of the information before the guild attempts an acquisition. Within the cache, there is the sixth portion of the rod of seven parts. You and Raagnar would find the cache and return the portion of the rod to me as proof of the cache's existance. At that time, I would share the lycanthropy spell with you so that you may teach it to Raagnar. In addition, any items you acquired on this mission with the exception of the sixth segment of the rod would be yours. You don't have to decide this moment, I'm sure you and the barbarian would like to discuss it. I'll be looking forward to your answer." With that Warden clapped his hands and the great hall vanished, leaving Dre and half-wolf half-man changing form of Raagnar in a dirty, garbage filled alley.

In the weeks that followed, Dre and Raagnar discussed at length Warden's proposal, deciding whether the thief-mage could be trusted to make good on his claims. Finally, the two decided that for Raagnar's well-being and the chance of one day having enough set aside to retire and build their festhall, they should take Warden's offer. Needless to say, the thief-mage was delighted and told the two that he would send for them when the cache was located.

Now, the summons came and the two were honor bound to fulfill their agreement. They set out from Waterdeep in the following month. Elrinith knows of their quest and that their destination was somewhere deep in the great desert, the Anuaroch. Over the years, Elrin has heard rumor and tales of a fair elf who travels with huge, black, wild wolf only she can command.

Three years after their departure, Warden was found slain in an alley in the Dock Ward of Waterdeep, near a very popular and boisterous festhall.

The official report from the city guard claims the thief-mage was beaten and slashed to death, but rumors abound that his body was torn to shreds as though mauled by a wild animal.