All the physicians in the kingdom of Effdotdeus look forward every year to the Apotheconference, where they can get together and share secrets of their trade. This year was no different. The town's deft Apothecary, his trusty Herbalist and faint-hearted Apprentice, and his faithful but clumsy Golem were on the guest list, as was the Alchemist who claimed he was a doctor, the mystic who claimed he could Possess people, and the Philosopher who claimed … a lot of things. But paid a few too many visits to the Herbalist, if you catch my drift.
Yes, they all turned up to the Vineyards behind the University, where the annual event was hosted by University Chancellor Jotheonah. A table was set with nametags for all of them and a bowl of delicious-looking punch.
But just before the guests arrived, two jet black cats appeared. One held a vial, a strange Potion, in it's mouth, and somehow uncorked the mixture with its tail and poured it into the punch bowl. The other simply knocked the nametags into the mud.
When the guests arrived, they made do without nametags, and they themselves with two more strangers in their midst, new Apothecaries, they assumed, just moved to town. The Alchemist entertained the crowd by Transmuting people's pocket change into “Actions” but it wasn't a very good trick. Since no one knew what an Action was supposed to be, he just ended up disappearing with their money. But what was wrong with this punch? It was making everything so foggy...
“Welcome, welcome,” said the Chancellor. “Why aren't any of you wearing your nametags?”
“There were no nametags!” the guests replied.
“Well, that won't do,” said the Chancellor, “Tell me who you are and I'll make some new ones. How about you?”
The man stopped. He thought. But try as he might, he couldn't remember who he was!
“Oh dear,” said the Chancellor. “Let me just consult my trusty Scrying Pool.”
He looked into an ornate bird bath for a moment, then looked up again at the crowd.
“I'm sorry to say that in order to book the conference, I had to ask our town Witch to reschedule her coven meeting, normally held in this very Vineyard! She didn't take it well. I think it's very likely that her Familiars have infiltrated the conference in human form, and spiked the punch with a powerful memory Potion! To get the antidote we'll likely have to find and kill the Familiars. Until then, we won't be able to figure out who's who! Luckily, I didn't happen to drink any of that punch, so, tell you what, I'll nip off and find the old bat, try to set things straight, you all stay here, enjoy the refreshments, and try to catch those Familiars!”
And with that the old man disappeared.
DAY 1 HAS BEGUN. Deadline is July 4th at Midnight, EST