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>LS 2
>PS ON
>PL60
>SM6
>CP ON
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		ä285ä      

	The militia have orders to impose the curfew and 
Š	arrest anyone caught on the streets after dark. As 
Š	you march alongside the young lieutenant on your way 
Š	to the city's guardhouse, you ask him why such stern 
Š	measures have been imposed, especially in Hikas which 
Š	is considered to be one of the most peaceful and 
Š	civilised cities of Magnamund. 

	"The people of Hikas are living in fear of their 
Š	lives," says the lieutenant. "For the past month 
Š	there's been a creature stalking our streets at 
Š	night. It's killed more than fifty poor souls, and in 
Š	terrible fashion. Ripped 'em to pieces. There isn't 
Š	anyone who's lived to tell what it looks like but  
Š	everyone's got their own ideas. Some say it's a 
Š	shapechanger that goes about at day in the guise of a 
Š	man and changes into a beast at night. Others say 
Š	it's come from Gorgoron, seeking revenge on the Old 
Š	Kingdom for the death of its master - Agarash the 
Š	Damned. I don't know what to think. All I know is 
Š	that it walks these streets, and every night someone 
Š	dies a ghastly death by it's hand."
	
	Suddenly a terrible shriek echoes through the empty 
Š	streets. A woman standing on the balcony of a tall 
Š	building nearby, leans over the parapet and calls out 
Š	to the lieutenant.
	"Down by the river," she shouts, and she points over 
Š	the rooftops to where the shriek was heard, "The 
Š	fiend...it's struck again!"

	"Quick men!" yells the lieutenant, "Follow me. If 
Š	we're swift we may catch the beast this night."


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