<em>First the Plague took the Eastern Kingdoms and I sought no cure as I was not from the East.<br/>Then the Plague took the Norse and I sought no cure as I was not of the North.<br/>Then the Plague took the Amazons of the South and I sought no cure as it suited their savagry.<br/>Now the Plague has come for us, and there is none left to seek a cure.</em><br/>~ Last journal entry of Queen Biatta XIV of the City State of Makkon<br/><br/><br/>About a year ago a new strain of the lycanthropy virus began spreading through the Eastern Kingdoms of the Ogres and the Free Men, a plague that seemed to affect only their women causing them to become feline in form, whether or not the moon was full or it was the brightest day. Each individual seemed to be affected differently, one sixth of those infected kept their original intellect and personalities, some lost some of their intelligence and the ability to speak and the rest became completely feral and no better than animals, but for the most part they seemed to be in perpetual heat and starved for sex though so far they seemed unable to bare children.<br/>They called it the "Nekomimi Plague".<br/>Eleven months ago, the Ogre King passed a law that declared these few specimens were no longer human, but property of the state. And then the plague bloomed.<br/><br/>It eventually spread to the north and south through trade caravans and pilgrims, infecting the norsemen of Aesir and the amazons of the Hy-Bracile islands far to the south. Thus far it has not seemed to affect the Land of the Black Sand, Hadron, as it is a wasteland full of the undead with nothing to affect, while the intelligent undead who rule it see no reason to aid their mortal neighbours. Nor has it seemed to strike at the war-torn Lyonesse Empire to the west, as during its current civil war both side are blocking each others' trade routes until it can be decided who the true heir to the Empire and the Church is.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Until recently, the Maiden City of Makkon whose walls had never been breached had disallowed travellers in or out of their city.<br/>The latter part of the description includes you.<br/>The city itself is vast, and even includes quite a few acres of fertile farmlands. While one or two of these catfolk had appeared within the city limits, they were quickly contained within the asylum to prevent the spread of the foul disease that seemed to be the end for the humanoid races. If they can't breed, they will simply die in a generation. Makkon, and its sister city Farron that lies beneath it, has been declared a Bastion, a safe haven away from the wars to the west and the plagues to every other side, pilgrims congregate outside her walls ever hopeful of being allowed admittance, the shanty town's population ever ebbs and flows however as those who become catfolk and run into the wilds are eventually replaced by more.<br/><br/>Due to the relative safety behind impregnable walls, the wise men have had no reason to seek out a cure. Once this has all run its course in a generation or two, they shall simply be able to sweep east and claim much more land than they had ever had int he history of their nation.<br/><br/>That all changed one week ago.<br/>It was well known that the crown princess and heir to the throne was adventurous and not keen on seeing others suffer. Some months ago she took a band of loyal adventurers out of the city through secret turnnels in Farron to find where the plague began and how it could be ended. One week ago, a single member of the party, a male tiefling named Rowlf, returned with three of the catfolk in tow, claiming them to be the princess and two of their fellows. None of the other male adventurers returned, but it was confirmed by court wizards that the identity of the felines were as Rowlf said.<br/><br/>It's currently the middle of summer, one of the hottest seen in living memory. Each of you received a summons from the steward of Her Royal Majesty Queen Biatta XIV requesting your presence at court, each chosen for their great renown be they local or foreign. It seems that something has transpired to change the status quo and seek out a cure.<br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/>As the five of you are guided though the labyrinthine corridors of the Royal Palace (though Saren would hardly need a quide, having been through here as part of his father's entourage several times in the past) you can take in the oppulant splendour of the place, relics and artwork from both halves of the city, Makkon and Farron, line the walls and influence the architechture.<br/>Those who are local or have been to both halves know that the palace stretches high into the sky and deep beneath the surface, one half a complete mirror of the other.<br/><br/>You eventually come to a foyer, a waiting room just outside what you're told by your guides is the throne room. It will be around ten to twenty minutes until you'll be permitted entry as the last meeting taking place in the grand hall is going on a little longer than expected, but you will be called whe your time comes.<br/><br/>In addition, your weapons have been temporarily confiscated, as befits entering the palace. They've been checked and placed in a safe depotit box, ready for you to pick up when you're escorted out.