All but one of The Shadow Brides of Nibenay, the order the party belonged to in a previous life, the memories of which have been transferred by their mark, has been killed by the new king now the last survivor plots his downfall to kill Nibenays son and heir, the new king Dhgorjak. The brides were originally designed by the former sorcerer king to act as bodyguards and if necessary the assassins of his son. Now with Nibenay gone the last Shadow Bride intends to carry out their central purpose – many of their number previously believing that the son was responsible for the father's disappearance and that their master is not dead but will return and when he does so he will punish those amongst the brides who failed to remain faithful to their oaths. The last Shadow Bride will now seek out the party – who are former members of the order through the memories held in their dark marks. She will try to enlist their aid in killing Dhojakt.
Aktisgar is the last surviving member of the order. She will tell them that Dhojakt has an new adviser Wheelock the poisoner and he is trying to persuade him to destroy Salt View. The party tried to kill him at the Poisoners Pit and he is out for revenge.
She will also inform them that Dhojakt has also hired a team of Royal Bodyguards of Dhojakt that accompany him everywhere in the palace.
He has also increased the defences - it is now impossible to use magic inside. They must either fight him in the palace with conventional combat or find a way to lure him out and attack him.