A minor noble traveling in first class on the lightning rail is found murdered. Rikard d’Orien is the highest-ranking house member on the train, and it falls to him (and whomever he can rope into helping him) to catch the killer. Rikard is usually more concerned with his status within Orien than the house’s clients, but at the moment, he is on the verge of losing both. He is desperate to solve the crime before word gets out—or the killer strikes again.

Travelers looking for food, drink, and shelter can find it all at the Horse & Hearth, a large inn and tavern maintained by House Ghallanda. The food and lodging are both of average quality, but extremely reliable. While it doesn’t have the colorful atmosphere of the local shifter establishments, the Horse & Hearth has the reputation of House Ghallanda behind it, and provides all the standard services the house is known for. Gaidan d’Ghallanda (NG male halfl ing commoner 9) operates the inn. Gaidan possesses the Lesser Mark of Hospitality (purify food and drink, Leomund’s secure shelter), and two of his daughters have the Least Mark (prestidigitation and purify food and drink).