Marie Zenoiste, an aged alchemist of regal demeanor, arrives in Malinbois accompanied by a train of wagons laden with furniture and numerous sealed trunks. She takes possession of one of the new houses that have been rising on the outskirts of town; rumor indicates that she paid a tidy sum to buy the place. Now the sign of the alembic swings above her door and weird acrid odors rise from her chimney.
One of her servants delivers a note to the Company lodge. It says, "Salutations to the Company of Crossed Swords. I offer my services in the compounding and identification of alchemical substances for reasonable rates. In addition, I would pay well to acquire certain formulae that you may come across in your travels. Do not hesitate to visit me to discuss the matter further. — Zenoiste."
