**Beneath The Embers**
Within the hollow alleys of Southern Waterdeep. Two allies, now - friends. Go in search of answers, inside the house - one filled with blissful memories of the past.
Having encountered the charred writing on the wall, carved of diabolical origin.
A name rang audibly from under Briar's whiskers; so did it fill the now oathless elf's mind, as the writing turned bright red, filling the house with smoke, threatening to consume all under a blanket of ruthless fire.
The two of them barely escaped. The once considered home, now gone; taken away.
The beating of wings as griffin riders flew overhead - closing in.
Striga held onto her uncle's hat, but truly - she was trying to preserve what little peace she had left.
The low, vicious cackle that formed the flames echoed deep within Striga's head, before inciting the name once scarred across the interior.
A ruthless, billowing promise - the same scorched into the wall:
"You're next. Warfiend!"
Still anchored by the pain that now riled her, the question dawned upon Striga - What will it take to keep what's left? What will happen once all is gone, buried beneath the embers?
— text by DM, who has made a sport of putting worms in my brain
