The Reaping

Lau Nailo, a high elf rogue from the south, arrives in the desert scraptown of Aklier, still in pursuit of his sister. He learns that she and her captor passed through it several weeks ago while on their way to Riverdrown.

Meanwhile, Roach, Taigus, Nadu and Alexander all meet one another in the tavern, each of them in Aklier for different reasons; Nadu is a cleric from a dwarven vault far to the south, Alexander is an escaped, half-ooze super soldier, and Taigus is a mercenary gunslinger from Riverdrown, looking to collect a hefty debt of 300 gold from a portly man named Fredward. Roach, in possession of the sentient sword Valfigor, has lived in Aklier all his life, but is compelled to find Valfigor's twin - a sentient shield named Reni.

Taigus finds Fredward and successfully coerces the easily-frightened man to cooperate with him. While scrounging around the scrap hills in search of worthwhile junk to sell, Fredward gives Taigus an amulet with an empty, gem-shaped socket. Fredward also mentions that he may be able to make more money and better pay off his debts in Riverdrown, imploring Taigus to escort him there.

Later, armed robots called the Unscarred arrive in town to "reap" their share of slaves promised to them every ten years. In exchange, they purportedly protect Aklier from raiders, mutants and other beasts. However, on this particular day, the party confronts the slavers and slays their captain, causing the rest of his soldiers to cease functioning. Nailo joins the party upon learning that they plan to travel to Riverdrown.