PCs
NPCs

The Box
        In the course of their adventures (looting an ogre stronghold, if my memory doesn't fail) they uncover an evil artifact, which they discover is named the Box of Shadows.  They also realise that it can't be opened without three keys, but if it is, things go wrong in a big way.  Nask, the ranger, decides that its his calling to protect it.  So, the rest of the party lets him keep it at his house.  The copper key is attached to the box, waiting to be used.

Rumors
        The party begins to hear of a new orc threat, an alliance of three clans in the WindKnife mountains.  Nask decides to go investigate.  He specifically takes the Box of Shadows (so it wouldn't be outside of his guard, I guess).  He treks alone to the Thunderhammer Enclave, depending on his Chameleon Cloak for protection.

Investigation
        Nask makes his way to the stronghold and sneaks past the guards without too much effort.  He manages to explore about a third of the complex before he finds the area where they keep Dire Wolf mounts.  Unfortunately, the Chameleon Cloak doesn't help against smell at all.  So he's detected by the wolves.  They chase him and he ducks into a small niche to get away.  They track him into this niche and their orc masters poke him with spears until he falls unconcious.
        Nask wakes up in a cage, suspended in a far corner of the feasthall.  Periodically, drunken orcs lob rocks at him.  Luckily, their aim isn't very good.  Unfortunately, they've taken all of his worldly possessions, including the Box of Shadows.  After a short time, he jimmies the lock and sneaks out past his guards.  However, he still doesn't have his stuff.
        He leaves the fortress and rests for a few days right outside.  He then breaks back in, without the help of his cloak or other items.  He manages to get the Box, one of his scimatars and his armor back before the guardians realize he's around (botched a move silently) and attack him again.  This time he gets clubbed into unconciousness by Ogres.
        Deja Vu.  He wakes up in the same cage with several new bruises.  The orcs think he's hilarious.  Nask breaks out again and sleeps outside for a night.  He then makes his way back inside, grabs one of his swords and his cloak.  Nask also catches a glimpse of the "Cresent-Cross Mage," the mage that was messing with them way in the beginning.  Afterwards, he wisely snuck out and went back to his house.

Auction
        Quite some time later, Stephan receives a communique signed with the sigil of the Cresent-Cross explaining that there will soon be an auction of the Box of Shadows, with two of its keys.  He packs up his things and goes to the auction, alone.  After all, he figures, the letter was for him.  So he rides his pegasus bonded mount to the tower.
        Stephan then meets quite a few people most of whom he doesn't recognize or remember.  The roster includes Chronos, a priest of Gomora, a powerful local mage, and a few adventurers.  The bidding war is quickly narrowed to Chronos and Stephan, leaving the others in the dust.  Stephan wins, quite litterally bidding everything except his pegasus, his breeches, and his sword (a gift from Kor to replace the one Gerald roasted, not a holy sword per se, but blessed).  He then begins flying back, triumphant.
        About two hours later, Chronos intercepts him, having gotten a blue dragon (his traditional mount of choice).  The battle doesn't last long, with the near-naked paladin falling quickly under energy bolts and the dragon's lightning breath.  Chronos then proceeds to conjure a pillar of stone and tie Stephan to it with the equivalent of barbed wire.  Unfortunately, Chronos can't touch the sword, so just leaves it on the ground.

Rescue
        BloodDeath proceeds to inform another party member that someone needs their help five days due west.  The entire party follows his instructions, circumventing much of the distance by teleporting to Tikar's Ferry.  They find Stephan, tied to the pillar.  His pegasi was slain (through massive damage in the battle), leaving him with his sword as his only possession.

Score:
        Box of Shadows in enemy hands
        Copper Key in enemy hands
        Iron Key in enemy hands
        Nask looses almost all magical items (including bracers of blinding strike, frost brand scimatar, and magical armor)
        Stephan looses all of his magical items except the sword (including very magical armor, bracers of blinding strike, and bag of holding with a lot of money)