<strong>Prologue</strong><br/><br/>The village of Lunescross lies on the main road in and out of Urgasburg. The final stretch of road begins in Lunescross at the foot of the mountains and snakes its way up through the Forest of Shadows until it finally emerges at the gates of Urgathoa's city. The stagecoach drivers of Lunescross can make the journey within the safety of a half-day, leaving at moonset and arriving before the dreaded moonrise. The coming of the everlasting night and never-setting Scarlet Moon covered the road through the Forest of Shadows as far as Lunescross, but the village itself was just far away enough from Urgasburg to be spared from the darkness. But not its effects: now only the most experienced drivers continue to make their journeys in the dark, setting their pocket-watches to the bells of the Clocktower to ensure their safety on the road.<br/><br/>The previous day, a strange group converged upon Lunescross. Outsiders, seeking further passage to Urgasburg for reasons as varied as the stars. Their arrival had been foretold, read in the entrails of sacrificial offerings made to Urgathoa. To meet them, a delegation from Urgasburg was sent, taking a stagecoach owned by the eccentric old man but undeniably skilled driver Pachski.<br/><br/>Now, with the moon low on the horizon and the sky awash in the gentle light before dawn, everyone waits for the moonset proper to begin the return trip to Urgasburg. Pachski and another driver have been hired, for a total of two stagecoaches for the journey.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>There are some things everyone will know about the journey to Urgasburg:<br/><br/>1. Once they leave Lunescross they will be within the area affected by the Scarlet Moon. Due to the pale red moonlight, the default ambient light level is dim light.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">In an area of dim light, a character can see somewhat. Creatures within this area have concealment (20% miss chance in combat) from those without darkvision or the ability to see in darkness. A creature within an area of dim light can make a Stealth check to conceal itself. Areas of dim light include outside at night with a moon in the sky, bright starlight, and the area between 20 and 40 feet from a torch.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>2. The road goes through the Forest of Shadows, where the forest canopy lowers the ambient light level to darkness.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">In areas of darkness, creatures without darkvision are effectively blinded. In addition to the obvious effects, a blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat (all opponents have total concealment), loses any Dexterity bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and takes a –4 penalty on Perception checks that rely on sight and most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks. Areas of darkness include an unlit dungeon chamber, most caverns, and outside on a cloudy, moonless night.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>3. Before when the stagecoaches ran in daylight, they could make the trip comfortably, but with the darkness they are slowed a touch and there is now just enough time to complete the journey during the hours of the Silver Truce. In other words, any stop or delay risks the group being caught outdoors after the bells toll the end of the truce.<br/><br/>4. The trip has always been dangerous, even more so with the Scarlet Moon, but so far no driver has been outright attacked during the hours of the Silver Truce.