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Lazarus leaves the blighted forest convinced this will not be the last time the Pathfinder Society sends it agents to Iobaria.
He greets Kenner and his lovely daughters upon the team's return to Farheaven. "The region should be safe for some time, but the Pathfinder Society would appreciate word, if the situation ever changes. This place is of significant interest to us."
The samsaran turns to his compatriots. "Let's deliver a report to Dolok, before we depart."
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Lazarus accompanies his friends to the old, dilapidated shrine that was once dedicated to the Farheavens' protector, Dolok Darkfur.
After they prepare the ritual, the wizard-priest starts chanting.
"Spirits of the world, I ask you,
Find favor with my call and summons,
On the seven winds I beg you travel,
And greet me in my presence,
For a speaking of things that need be spoken,
From this moment forward,
Your powers do I wish invoke,
For things that need be done."
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Jan remorsefully tells Kenner, "The others are much more enthusiastic about the future of this region than I am... it will take the work of many priests of nature to remove the taint of evil from these lands."
Jan looks more somberly at Kenner and his daughters, "If you choose to stay, you should know the truth... we removed only one small area that the plague affected... fire appears to be the best way to combat it, so at least we know that. We don't know when the plague will return, but it will return someday."
Regardless of his reply, Jan acknowledges Kenner's choice and offers a few prayers and libations on his family's behalf.
Jan stands patiently as Lazarus prepares to invoke the ritual of summoning.
Kenner, now joined by his daughters as they return from foraging, listens to your tale of strange, infected trees and oozes with a mixture of concern and horror. When it's all said and done, the Skorlov patriarch shakes his head and utters a low whistle.
"That's quite th' tale. An' you said this mist an' stuff came right outta the trees? Sounds like you folks were lucky t' be able to burn it out from a distance," he replies somberly. "No wonder th' poor folks that lived here died like they did. Right now we've still got no intention of leavin' but we'll keep everythin' you just said in mind...an' be watchful."
Adula, the bolder and more outspoken of the two daughters, nods. "Pa, if we had more help we might could burn more of th' place, make sure it won't come back or spread."
"Mebbe so, mebbe so," Kenner agrees, though not without a bit of a sigh. "Won't lie, I like us havin' our peace an' quiet out here but not if it means the land's sufferin'. Tell you what - if you can give us some way t' get in touch with you folks again or th' people you work for then we'll send word if we see anythin' out there that's lookin' like it's gettin' out hand. Deal?"
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After working out any particulars that seem prudent with the Skorlov family, Frankie beckons the trio to join you as Lazarus once again initiates the ritual to summon Dolok Darkfur. As the familiar shape of the bear, walking on two feet like a man, appears and strides forward out of the mist you can immediately see that something has changed. Instead of the slow, lumbering stride you saw before, the great eidolon now walks with a more confident step and his head is held high. And the mantle of multicolored feathers now shines with a brilliant light like that of the sun.
"My...friends..." Dolok greets you, his voice thick with emotion. "You've done it, haven't you? In my place of solitude and loneliness I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders and I knew. I knew that you had done what I could not and avenged my children, put an end to the foul plague that consumed them. How can I ever repay you for the kindness you've shown to them and to me?"
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"Dolok Darkfur, we're just glad to help." Meredith can't hide her smile. "It felt good to repel those things from the land. We don't know if or when it will return-" she nods to Jan. "But the more information you know, the better we can anticipate these disasters. The Pathfinder Society sent us here to learn about the Farheaven clan, and instead we helped another group start anew." She nods at the Skorlov family.
"Please, tell us about the Farheaven Clan. Nelket will be pleased to know you are still here, protecting these lands. I know she has a new life, but perhaps she will be willing to visit again."
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Brayden nods along as Meredith explains what he and the others had been tasked with. She did a pretty good job, too, so he found himself mumbling "Well, actually, Kenner's daughters are kinda cute..." when asked about repayment.
A buffoon. That is how I would describe this... this 'new' you.
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"You are most welcome, Dolok Darkfur. As Meredith has said, we would like to learn more about the Farheavens. The Pathfinder Society is pleased to have made it possible for the clan to return to their home. We also hope to encourage one or more of them, perhaps Nelket, to accompany us to our Lodge and meet with our venture-captain."
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Jan speaks to Dolok and to Kenner, "I will not be a stranger to these lands... in recent weeks I have heard the call of Gozreh and the spirits of nature even louder than when I was a child."
Jan's voice takes on an unusually joyful tone,"Nature be praised in all its glory and wonder! May the God of Storms be praised! May his tears heal this land."
"Kenner, if you and your daughters stay, I would be proud to call you my friends... and aid in you whatever might need to be done to restore these lands."
"If you decide not to remain... I understand and would encourage you to go to your ancestral home in the Lands of Northmen, I would be proud to help you resettle in Hellirinn and join the ranks of the druids and priests of my village."
Brayden speaks about the daughters in a dishonorable way... but, who knows... maybe Adula and I can talk about the future...
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Yorad gives Brayden a nod and a wink when he mentions the daughters. "Careful man, I don't think those customs are followed out HERE!"
Still, one...or both...would be good at keeping the bedroll warm, still not sure they would survive long in the city...Still...
"It was an honor to handle this matter for you Master Dolok," Yorad nods in reply to the eidolon, "As for payment...well I think a future favor in return will be perfect here."
"Yes, I will tell you some of our history," Dolok agrees. "It's the least I can do after all that you have done for us. As for the rest and for Nelket..."
The eidolon pauses and stares into the distance. You realize that he seems to be looking in the direction of Mishkar - where Nelket and the other Farheaven survivors reside.
"With the plague and corruption lifted from the land and the darkness from my spirit, I've been able to...reach out to her. No, that's not right. I could always reach her but I was afraid to, after my failure as a guardian," Dolok explains. "But no longer. I am still not entirely back to my old self but I think...with Nelket's permission...that I would like to resume my old duties as guardian of the Farheaven clan."
As the Skorlovs look at each other with raised eyebrows, the eidolon quickly raises a paw. "Don't worry. When I said that you and your family would be welcome to remain here, I meant it. And I still do. Nelket and I have a great many things to discuss but whether or not she and the others choose to return to this place, you three are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish. Nelket...I think she would agree with that, too."
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Kenner, Adula, and Klara all look at each other as they weigh Dolok's words. Then, Klara steps forward and slowly offers a hand to the great bear.
"I'd...I'd like t' stay," she nods. Then, she smiles and wipes at her eyes. "Thank you. With things gettin' sorted like they are, you didn't have t' let us stay - especially if your people might come back home. It's real generous of you an' this Nelket you all keep talkin' about. I'm glad that they," Klara gestures to the rest of you, "were able t' help you get some peace."
Adula nods in agreement, now smiling as well. Even Kenner's usually-gruff expression has softened into a bit of a wry smile. "Heh. Guess we might need t' plan for some neighbors in th' future, eh? Ah well, mebbe it's for th' best."
If it were possible for an eidolon to beam, you're fairly certain that Dolok would be glowing like the sun right now. "Ahhh...all of you, you're too kind! Other plans and preparations can wait for later. I believe I promised you all a tale, didn't I?"
Dolok gestures for everyone, including the Skorlovs, to have a seat around the altar. Having caught Jan's eye, Adula takes a seat next to the great Ulfen while Klara shyly sidles up next to Brayden. Kenner sighs and shakes his head but otherwise says nothing as he settles in next to Lazarus and Yorad.
"Can't keep 'em with me forever, I 'spose," he murmurs quietly. "An' you Pathfinders seem like pretty good folks. They could do a lot worse, eh?"
Once everyone is settled in, Dolok takes his place at the front of the altar and clears his throat. "This tale takes place years and years ago, during the last days of Sarkoris...our former homeland..."
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"Stories? NICE!" Frankie digs out his bedroll and promptly wedges himself between Klara and Brayden to stay cozy. Woah no! Not on MY watch! I've seen that face from Mom and her friends before!
Frankie squeezes himself in, like a wedge in a piece of gnarly birch. "This sure is cozy, cocoa anyone?" He offers around his filthy 'waterskin' filled with day old cocoa to the pair.
Denair sits and listens to Dolok's many tales. Sometimes she interjects to talk about her own village with the good times and the bad times.
"You will recover, Dolok Darkfur." Her ears twitch. "The Boss has helped me, and I feel stronger- and different. I won't return to 'normal' but I will be stronger than before!"
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Meredith pets Denair with one hand and orders her Unseen Servant around with the other. She interjects to correct Denair, when she needs to. But Denair disagrees with some of the details. In fact she disagrees with a lot of Meredith's details and Meredith has to walk off and calm down afterward.
Another restless night. Meredith wakes up and steps outside. The cool night air is a bit chilly, but she's used to it by now. She's had too many sleepless nights. Time to summon Denair.
"Oh, Boss!" The tree-fox hybrid hugs her. "I'm sorry about before, it's just you said there was an Autumn Harvest Celebration but the village actually celebrates the first Sprouts of Spring. So how could Farmer Maxim worry about Winter's chill if they just survived? It didn't make sense to me-"
Meredith pats Denair's head to silence her. "Don't worry about it. I should apologize anyway. My memories are getting fuzzier and fuzzier." She looks up at the half moon. "I think you're right, about this Queen of Thorns thing. Maybe that's who I was. But now I'm Meredith. I'm someone else, entirely."
"So, tell me about my previous life. Did I protect people? Did I hate them? Did I have to... give a merciful death? Maybe I was a protector like Dolok and I failed. Now I'm searching for purpose." Meredith sits down near Dolok's altar, trying to search her thoughts. Maybe he can inspire her and raise some memory of her past. Or maybe she can fall asleep again. Who knows?
"Wait, Denair- when did you learn how to fly?"
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"Frankie.. Of all times.." Brayden sighs, leaning forward to bury his face in his hands.
What is it you're looking for, anyway, you dolt? What will this do for you? Find someone to love and hope that she fixes the broken you that you know is you? Dig deep. Focus on your prayers. Discovery of yourself is as much a journey as these Pathfinder escapades you've chosen to engage. You don't need anyone for that. You aren't even vengeful anymore. You're nothing like you were then. You know you aren't.
"I'm afraid.. You'll have to excuse me, Klara. Frankie, please, keep our friends company." Brayden quickly stands from his seat. "I... have other matters to attend to."
The samsaran walks away from the altar and finds a corner of the camp where he can be alone. He sits with his back to a tree, cross-legged, his hands folded in front of him. He stares into the sky, and at least for that moment, nothing exists but himself and the stars.
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Jan's rough exterior thaws as he sits next to Adula, and after some time he places one of his hands on top of hers and smiles.
Jan whispers to Adula,"I will be build for us a splendid longhouse and it will be a joyous and warm place filled the laughter of our children if that is what you want... be it here or in Hellirinn... or you and I could adventure together if that is what your heart desires."
"Praise Gozreh! Praise Nature!"
For the time being Jan has forgotten all about the Witches of Irrisen.
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Seeing Brayden walk away from Klara elicits a shake of his head. That Frankie kid is clueless about matters of love...just wait until it happens to HIM!
For a moment he feels an urge to keep Klara company but he quickly brushes it off. Can you imagine me out here chopping wood all day long? Nary a tavern in sight? Naahhhh...I'll wait...plenty of other fish out there...the docks be me home.
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Lazarus ignores the heady scent of pheromones wafting off his companions and listens with rapt attention to Dolok Darkfur spin his tale.
"Thank you for sharing your history of the Farheavens. With your help, we will ensure this history is not lost to posterity. Your reunion with Nelket and the other survivors of the clan will be a joyous occasion."
The samsaran offers a slight bow, hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to his chest. "Farewell, Dolok Darkfur. Until we meet again... "
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Meredith and Denair spend their free time helping Nelket from her old village to her new one. Denair loves to fly around, and say hello (once Meredith introduces her properly.)
Meredith is glad to help at Nelket's bar. It gives her a useful distraction from the usual Pathfinder bureaucracy, and she finds comfort in a villager's routine. The villagers find her quite charming as well, but Meredith doesn't have time for them. Meredith has plenty of time to listen to Nelket, though.
Nelket and Meredith find opportunity to grieve; disaster ruined their lives, but they endured. Nelket found her new home, and Meredith found a friend with Denair. Now with Nelket, she's found another. Maybe more than friends. Who knows?
It's a quiet month, and Meredith enjoys helping tame and train the local animals for new tricks.
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Denair enjoys her time traveling between towns. More time in the woods. Plus, she gets to fly around and land on trees. Branches with large, thick leaves grow from her back, flapping madly as she moves from rooftop to treetop. It's easy for her to bathe in the sunlight.
"Boss! Boss! I have an idea! I know we stick together all the time or I go poof. But the bar is so boring! Can you do the magic thing to let me move around?" Denair sticks out her tongue and yips until Meredith figures out how to Unfetter her.
The town is full of potential new friends, and Denair is glad to help and say hello to everyone. She develops a knack for telling stories, too. "Boss, Boss! I like telling stories, but every time I say hi they look at me funny. Can I get a disguise? Please?" Denair continues to yip and run circles around Meredith. One day Meredith figures it out and casts Alter Self to modify Denair into a human. She has so many questions Meredith has to cast it again before Denair actually uses her human guise to speak to someone.
Ever since destroying the source of the plague that claimed nearly all of the Farheaven clan you’ve found yourselves surprisingly busy. Once word got back to the Pathfinder Lodge in Nerosyan (the closest lodge to Iobaria) of what you’d accomplished, you were instructed by Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lanterbury to remain in the area and collect as much information as possible from the restored ‘god’ of the Farheaven clan, the eidolon Dolok Darkfur. Grateful for the aid that you’d given him and the leader of the Farheaven survivors Nelket, Dolok has been quite eager and willing to share information - not just about the Farheaven clan but about the history and traditions of the ruined nation of Sarkoris as a whole.
While all of you had initially expected for Nelket and the remaining Farheaven survivors to return to their abandoned village, two weeks after your victory over the plagueborn oozes you received word from Venture-Captain Jorsal and from Nelket herself that the remaining Farheavens would be making a bid to return to and reclaim their ancestral lands within Sarkoris itself. The Pathfinder Society would be funding this return caravan, set to depart from Mishkar in the following weeks. Though this news was unexpected, each of you have been hopeful that Dolok, Nelket, and her people will be able to reclaim their lives and their former homes. Having been assured that the outgoing caravan will have plenty of protection, you’ve spent the last day or two packing up and making your final preparations to return to Mishkar and see it off - as well as escort the Skorlovs until they can join up with the caravan themselves.
Not long after sunrise on your last morning in the old Farheaven village, everyone is sitting down to breakfast when the sudden arrival of a rather large, hefty carrier pigeon on the nearby windowsill brings the morning routine to a grinding halt. The pigeon bears a rolled up note in its’ pouch and a small bag that seems to be filled with vials. It hops about impatiently, seemingly eager to be rid of its' cargo.
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The last few weeks have been tortorous for Yorad, and the immediate forecast did not offer much relief for the city boy. Unable to partake of his favorite activities (involving a tavern and a pretty lady) he spent most of the time practicing some new knifing techniques (preferable on the lousy VC who exiled him here to begin with).
Eventually he decides to approach Frankiem, figuring the young exciteable boy may know of a way to alleviate his boredom. "Hey Frankie, how do you do it? Keep from going crazy out here in the middle of no where?"
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Before the arrival of that fateful bear-pigeon hybrid...
Frankie pops his head up out of a pile of leaves as Yorad approaches, waving him down vigorously "Get down, quick! Hide, Denny is coming!"
His head quickly ducking back beneath the extremely conspicuously stacked up pile of oak leaves. Once he believes himself concealed he carries on a not so whispered conversation with Yorad.
"What do you mean going crazy out here? The bugs? Ya those do kinda keep me awake, but I think I got used to them." The leaves rustle furiously as he itches his leg near bloody, then stops to listen before continuing.
"You don't like spending time in the woods? Knocking over dead trees? Climbing the highest ones around? Throwing rocks at mean squirrels? Making forts in the tall grass and ferns? Jumping over the streams? Trying to not get stuck in the mud in the swamp? Catching frogs? Carving your name into stumps? Picking tasty berries?" He finally stops to breath a bit.
"Learning how to build fires? Hiking through the woods with Meredith? Listening to scary stories? Making up your own scary stories? Swimming in the lake? Singing songs that don't make sense?" He finally stops.
"How can you get bored with all that fun? Not to mention playing cards after dark with those nice Skorlovs. Making cocoa, playing tag in the dark with Denair after everyone's gone to bed.." He snaps his yap shut after that last statement, almost as if it was a mistake.
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Frankie hustles back into his hiding spot, still unaware of Denair and how long she's been hiding in the pile of leaves.
Denair giggles, rustling several of the leaves in the process. The reddish brown mixes in well with her red fur coat and deep brown wooden skin. "Staying up is the best! And the Boss doesn't sleep for as long anymore, so I get more time to play." She grins. Her fox snout has shortened considerably in the last few weeks, giving her an almost human face.
"I've told everyone about Nelket's clan. And the Skorlovs. And of course I've conversed with Dolok." She scratches her head a bit, rustling some of the roses in her hair. "It was nice to talk to Dolok. He... he seemed so sad when we first met him, but now he's found purpose. He can't wait to help the clan. That's what guardians should do, right? Help their clan."
"I hope the Boss finds her clan, soon."
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Yorad raises his eyebrow at the last part, a slow grin appearing on his face. "Well, I see how you cope with the lack of activities around here," giving the young boy a wink, "What you are sayin' is you make do with what you have right? Works for me. Thanks!" He then walks off to contemplate that latest bit of wisdom.
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Meredith sits with Dolok, hearing another story of how he protected his clan from a necromancer. Zombies feasted on the flesh of the weak, but the Farheavens fought valiantly. His mighty roar knocked down a gang of them and he tore straight into the leader. But his strongest memory of the invasion was not the bloodshed, but rather the memorial for the fallen. Buried with honor. Gratitude. They died knowing the clan would live another day.
"Thank you, Dolok." Meredith looks off to the horizon. "Denair keeps telling me to listen to you and see if it jogs memories. It kind of does, it's a little fuzzy." Meredith's short dreams show her conjuring vines, weeds and rose thorns to attack hunters and poachers. Invaders of the Green. Kidnappers of the fey. And maybe innocent humanoids, who desperately wanted another home? Meredith wasn't sure if those were memories, pleasant dreams or terrible nightmares.
"Nelket's been a great host, by the way." Meredith switches subjects. "Training dogs and horses all day tires me out, but Nelket always made the beds and prepared my meals. I'm not sure I could ask for too much more." She blushes a bit.
"I know your journey will go smoothly. But if it doesn't, we'll be here." Meredith looks at the Skorlovs. "And so will they, once the Pathfinders stop flirting with the ladies." Meredith laughs. "But seriously, thank you for accepting them."
Meredith stands up. "This may be the last time you witness this site. Embrace it, cherish it. If you don't, it will become a hazy memory..."
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By this point, Brayden had pieced together a few things: he'd been killed in a crypt somewhere, and he worshipped Iomedae devoutly in his past. But he wasn't sure if that was his most recent past or some long-lost iteration of him. It haunted him so, the incessant voice in his head cryptically hammering at him and manipulating him in ways he did not even know.
He tried ear plugs. They didn't work, and affected his spellcasting ability. He also looked quite silly when he walked into the shop to purchase a cloak of resistance and wondered why the shopkeep was mute. A crude form of sign language followed, but Brayden got his cloak, the very annoyed merchant throwing it at his face with an angry scowl.
And then Brayden returned - ear plugs removed - and shyly sat nearest Klara, making small talk before being interrupted by one massive pigeon. "Oh? Is this a messenger? A feathered one, too. I wonder if it'd make a good pet," the samsaran smiled, tilting his head at Frankie. "What's in its cargo? Let's see..."
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Jan has been busy preparing for his new marital status. The past several weeks have seen him building the foundation of an Ulfen-style longhouse (albeit a modest one) for himself and Adula.
When not working on the longhouse, Jan continues to embellish the shrine to Gozreh he had dedicated weeks earlier.
Jan explains to Adula that unless she wishes to accompany him, he is obligated to assist his companions on their upcoming missions which will take him away for a couple of weeks. An honorable mission which will help the original people of this region return to their ancestral home.
"I will be back, don't worry..."
Purchases- Jan purchases a MW set of artisan tools (and took one rank of craft:carpentry). Noted on my character sheet.
"Nah, thank you folks for droppin' in on us like y'did," Kenner replies to Meredith at the breakfast table that morning. "Folks 'round here have their reasons for wantin' to settle away from th' bigger towns an' cities an' keep t' themselves but...well, all this stuff with th' Farheavens an' Dolok an' Miss Nelket...it changes a person, y'know? Life out here's pretty harsh an' when it comes down to it, it ain't never wise t' go it alone."
Kenner shakes his head. "Poor ol' Dolok had t' go it alone for how long? Fifteen years? An' all the grief eatin' away at 'im - wonder he didn't go truly stark ravin' mad after all that time!"
Across the long table that's been set up in one of the larger, still serviceable buildings to accommodate everyone, Kenner's daughter Adula nods and glances over at Jan. Theirs had been very much a whirlwind courtship but the pair seemed quite matched - the elder of the two Skorlov daughters was no stranger to hard work and the rigors of living off the land.
"That's righ' - Dolok an' Nelket would still be lost if Jan an' th' rest of y' hadn't come out here." Then the young woman smiles mischievously. "An' Ah mean we all got new friends an' I got a future husband out of th' whole thin' too so Ah can't really complain! Even if he is gonna be on th' road a lot!"
At this, all three of the Skorlovs laugh. Even with the prospect of packing up to move - Kenner and Klara with the rest of the Farheavens and Adula to her and Jan's new home - the atmosphere around the breakfast table is cheery and full of hope for the future. "Reckon so, Adula! Now we just need to get Klara all set up, right?" Kenner winks at Adula.
Klara, the younger and more reserved of the two daughters laughs but also blushes slightly and glances away from Brayden, whom she's sitting next to. "Um...m-maybe once we're all moved an' settled..." she remarks with a shy smile. "But anyway...that's an awfully big bird! Ah wonder what he's brought?"
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As Brayden approaches the huge, fat carrier pigeon it practically kicks the bag away once the samsaran removes it from around his neck and stretches its' wings for a moment before immediately fluttering over to the breakfast table, ready for a snack.
Upon opening the bag, a rolled up note and six small vials come tumbling out. When Brayden unfurls the note it's immediately apparent that it's badly smudged and damaged. What words can be made out read as follows:
'Friends,
On behalf of the Farheavens I want to thank you for assisting us with the -----. Unfortunately, an unex---- issue prevents us from ---- out. The Finadar Forest is aflame, and the fire threatens to ----- Mishkar. A tribe of goblins ----- to be ----- the fire. Please send aid quickly!
Nelket'
The vials are Potions of Resist Energy (Fire).
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A blonde head slowly rises out of the leaf pile before diving atop a hidden Denair "You little sneak.. gotcha!" He giggles, rolling around and enjoying life.
The rest of the time he spends 'helping' Jan build his log cabin thing, showing Brayden how to use his squirrel pelting sling shot, petting the animals with Meredith, and occasionally wondering where exactly Laz has gone off to.
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As Frankie looks up from his sea of maple syrup with a pair of bloated pancakes in it his eyes look towards Brayden, then the bird, then Brayden, then the bird... "A pet bird? Hrmmm" He thinks, looking at Meredith out of the corner of his eye.
He slips quietly beneath the table...
He pops up and shoots his hands towards the bird, trying to clamp down around its wings!
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Meredith breaks off some of her bread to feed the pigeon. She grabs the vials before they spill too far.
"Carrier pigeon? Who is it from? A Venture Captain?"
"If you drink these potions you can resist damage from fire... wait, fire? What's going on? What does that note say, Brayden?"
Meredith scans it over. "The forest is on fire? Goblins." She groans. "It's never quiet around here, is it? We gotta put out that fire and help 'em out."
Meredith grabs her longspear. "I'm gonna look for Frankie and Denair. I told them to get back here by lunchtime, but you know them..."
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Yorad's blood runs cold as he hears about the impending forest fire. He knew all to well the dangers of an out of control conflagration. "Yeah, fires are no good news fer sure! Those potions will come in handy...but I know we will need more than just potions to put out the fire!" He tries to remember where the nearest source of water is near the village.
"Forest fire?" Denair's smile fades away. "Controlled or uncontrolled?" She emerges from the leaf pile, spreads her leafy wings and takes to the skies.
As she rises above the tree line, she begins to fly in circles, looking for the trail of smoke so she can get an accurate idea of where the flames are and how far they have spread.
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Lazarus has enjoyed the peaceful interlude, spending most of his days helping Nelket run the inn and prepare for the journey to Sarkoris and the evenings conversing with Meredith and Dolok Darkfur, learning much about the Farheaven clan and about the history and traditions of the ruined nation of Sarkoris as a whole.
He had greeted with eager curiosity the tidings from Venture-Captain Jorsal Lauterbury and from Nelket that the remaining Farheavens would be making a bid to return to and reclaim their ancestral lands within Sarkoris.
The Pathfinder Society's willingness to fund the expedition was also welcome and unexpected news.
Lazarus was caught off guard by Jan's proposal to the elder Skorlov daughter. "My congratulations, Jan and Adula. May your nuptials quiet Gozreh's stormy disposition."
The samsaran regarded his fellow Pathfinder and his bride with a smile and a thoughtful eye. Born of the ocean's fury and the wind's wrath, Gozreh is a fickle deity, my friend. If the lass wished for a tempest to extricate herself from staid domesticity, tying the proverbial knot with a servant of the god of storm and sky and the goddess of wave and surf was a bold move.
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Sharing a sunrise breakfast with those of his companions not preoccupied with hide-and-seek, Lazarus waits for Brayden to read the carrier pigeon's message, before perusing the note himself.
Meanwhile, the wizard-priest tries to assists Meredith with the vials the pigeon had brought.
"Ah yes, em, of course, potions of fire resistance. Always useful." I need some tea to settle my nerves, and the cloying scent bacon grease is disrupting my sense of smell!
He takes the missive from Brayden and reads it.
Friends,
On behalf of the Farheavens I want to thank you for assisting us with the -----. Unfortunately, an unex---- issue prevents us from ---- out. The Finadar Forest is aflame, and the fire threatens to ----- Mishkar. A tribe of goblins ----- to be ----- the fire. Please send aid quickly!
Nelket
"The smudges and damage indicate the message was written in haste. The situation sounds dire." Lazarus nods in agreement with Meredith, "Indeed, we're already packed. Let's set off for Mishkar at once."
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Jan spits, "Okraesilegr goblins..." Jan quickly begins gathering his equipment letting everyone know he plans on setting off immediately.
"So these foul beasts destroy Gozreh's wooded realms? I curse them and their gods... I swear they will be put low!"
OoC- Jan was planning on settling part-time wherever his in-laws ended up. The plan is to build a longhouse in Mishkar and in Hellirinn- at least until the place is full of rugrats...
Summers in the Land of the Linnorm Kings and winters in the south (sort of) in Iobaria. Sounds too good to be true? At least the Iobarians are descended from good Ulfen stock!
As you all hastily wolf down breakfast and begin grabbing your gear to depart for Mishkar you ponder this strange new development...except for Frankie, who creeps up on the snacking pigeon and manages to clamp his hands tightly around the fat bird's wings. The pigeon struggles, emitting a series of panicked chirps and calls. It's unclear whether it's upset at being manhandled or upset at having its meal interrupted.
When the Worldwound erupted in old Sarkoris, many Sarkorian tribes and families were driven from their homes and forced to seek refuge or build new lives in neighboring countries and territories.
Several of these groups of Sarkorian refugees settled in Iobaria, a largely untamed wilderness filled with cyclops ruins, fierce centaur clans, and strange plagues.
Several weeks ago, the Pathfinder Society (you) reunited the last god caller of the Farheavens Tribe with their lost god Dolok Darkfur, a powerful eidolon who takes the form of a colorful feathered bear.
The centaur tribes who live in the Iobarian forests near Mishkar communicate in the Elven and Sylvan tongues. They are often more favorably inclined to humans and other races who greet them in these languages, as well as individuals who are obviously of elven or fey descent.
The town of Mishkar is surrounded on three sides by the Finadar Forest.
The Finadar Forest in Iobaria is known for its bruorsivi, or “blood pines,” a highly flammable breed of pine tree with scarlet needles.
While the Finadar Forest’s blood pines make it highly susceptible to sudden and intense forest fires, the many druids and centaur shamans who occupy the forest typically keep these fires from growing out of control.
A few obscure legends hint that the blood pines of Finadar were carefully cultivated in a past age by cyclops conjurers who used the trees as fuel for rituals designed to bring immense beings of elemental fire into the world.
Meanwhile, Denair takes to the skies to see if she can get any idea of whether the fire might have spread out into the Norinor Forest but she's not able to see anything of note this far from Mishkar. All of you remember that you passed through part of the Finadar Forest the very first time you came to Mishkar; so it would seem that whatever the source of the fire is, it obviously hasn't spread this far south yet.
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Given Jan's considerable knowledge of the region... and asking Adula a few questions, he is able to glean the following information.
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"Those blood pines are usually the problem... these trees are very flammable and EXPLODE every once in a while! But the druids and centaurs generally put out such fires rather quickly. For a fire to get this big means something is VERY wrong and I think this is about MORE than just a forest fire."
*= if this is a cold region (terrain)... the roll is a 26 (please advise).
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"Ha! I got it I got it!" Hollers Frankie as he dances, holding the bird above his head and looking towards Meredith triumphantly. "It sure is loud." He tries to calm it down as best he can. Cooing at it and putting it in front of the food it ate.
After a few moments he does finally realize everyone is up in a huff about something "A fire? Where? I don't smell any smoke... Are we leaving now? Where's Denny gone?" He tucks the bird under one arm and grabs up his knapsack to follow the others.
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"Well Jan," Yorad strokes his chin thoughtfully, "the note did mention goblins so I suspect they are actually fodder for something...or someone...that is controlling them. Goblins usually are only a nuisance to the druids in normal circumstances, so I agree we need to find them and see what happened to them."
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Meredith sighs as Frankie ignores the talk about massive forest fires and goes for a pigeon.
"Frankie, we need to head to Mishkar. There's a forest fire we need to take care of."
"And if you're going to calm a pigeon down, grabbing its wings is a terrible idea. Put some food on a plate, and add a bowl of water. And don't swing your arms around!"
Denair lands, tucks her wings away and then knocks. It feels good to see so many trees from above- she could never do that before.
"I don't see the fire from out here." She frets. "So let's go to Mishkar."
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"A pet pigeon could be fun. Frankie would be able to send letters anywhere. Or perhaps others could send him candy from afar," Brayden laughs as he tries to fan the pigeon towards Frankie.
Afterwards, he listens to Jan's knowledge. "If these trees are flammable.. And you add goblins to that.." Brayden cringes at the thought. "We must be leaving soon."
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Considering the prospect of traveling in the caravan of refugees, a thought occurs to Lazarus. "Jan, given your itinerant wandering, have you considered the advantages of making a home for yourself and Adula in a Varisian wagon? It might offer you both suitable flexibility to pursue your interests, until you find a more permanent place to settle."
"When the Worldwound erupted in old Sarkoris, many Sarkorian tribes and families were driven from their homes and forced to seek refuge or build new lives in neighboring countries and territories. Several of these groups of Sarkorian refugees settled in Iobaria, a largely untamed wilderness filled with cyclops ruins, fierce centaur clans, and strange plagues. I look forward to the opportunity to learn more about the place and its people."
"The town of Mishkar is surrounded on three sides by the Finadar Forest. An uncontrolled fire could create an unimaginable conflagration, a threat to the town and to the entire region."
"Goblins love fire." He nods, a sage expression on his wise face. "It is known."