Adventure starts with the players in their natural surroundings. Seldion "campaigns" for his foster father after locking his fathers office to protect the trophies his father just placed in them. He then meets a strange man with a tattoo on his face as well as an Elvin priestess with an iron mask. Arcas helps the mayor repair the trophies which broke when the door had to be kicked in. Karsa fights with his father when the father tells him the town doesn't need another half-assed blacksmith and that he needs to move out. The fight almost gets out of hand until the town guard intervene. The town guard were going house to house to ensure everyone put out their fires to properly celebrate the start of founders day and the journey form darkness into the light.
Everyone goes to church for the big ceremonial start of founders day. Afterwards Ariel is pulled aside and asked by Father Randall Prasst if she is willing to accompany the group on this years pilgrimage to the shrine of eternal flame to get Kassen's blessing. The group this year are all youth and a more level head would be a boon in-case of danger especially with the mayors foster son in the group. (Revealing that the ceremonial drawing is a sham) Ariel agrees and as the Priest predicted the names drawn are all young untested youths. Karsa nominated by his father to soften the blow of being kicked out of town. Seldion honored by Colbin of the forestry guild. (Who he was campaigning for all day) Arcas for fixing the trophy and helping prepare the festival in his master's place after the town mage passed out drunk when he was supposed to be helping move the stage magically. And then Ariel for services at the temple over the last year.
(Outside player knowledge Qimae meets with Cao Prince at the Jade palace. Diviners have sensed a great disturbance but can learn nothing about the coming disturbance due to a blockage of some sort. A distant relative of the Cao line who is Qimae's direct descendant is going to be able to pass through the blockage if he lives long enough. She is charged with protecting him and going through the barrier with him. The Emperor uses his corp of casters to give her power to manifest in mortal form for a time each day to help with this mission.)
The party begins journey to relight the hearth fires of Kassen from the sacred flame of eternal fire in Kassen's tomb. They have four bags, some scraps of a map and a lamp to hold the sacred flame. The party is accosted by Arcas's drunken master who rages at them and later sets a trap of illusionary orcs for them to fight. Later that night they were set upon by wolves which dragged Ariel off almost before anyone else could wake up. She would have perished except for the fast action of Arcas and Karsa who recovered her and poured a healing potion down her throat.