Three weeks before the end of spring 1208, Renatus asks the other magi to join him for a short meeting of the council.
When his two sodales have joined him, he relates to them that Martain has brought him information about a possible source of raw vis for the chapter house. "Apparently, there is a tale shared by the shepherds of the Lüneberg Heath, which is not so far east and north of us. I think it might be worthwhile for us to investigate that tale, as it may provide us with some additional and much-needed vis." He then proceeds to tell you this tale.
It is said that every summer, there is a strange sheep that wanders the heatland. This sheep uses the cover of night to inflitrate a flock grazing the heath, until such a time that a sheepdog -- and occasionally a shepherd -- comes to gather the flock. It is then that this sheep turns purple and attacks, biting and sometimes devouring the poor victim.
"Do you have any idea how we," he smiles, "and by that I really mean either or both of you, could pursue this tale to try to find that purple sheep and see if it can be harvested for vis?"