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Mayor Sandra Trilleni has made an plea for help to the Pathfinder Society for aid. More details to be given upon the arrival of assistance. You are being called upon to travel to the town of Saringallow in the region of Isger, alongside some companions.
Perhaps you should get acquainted and introduce yourselves.
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A strange little creature walks into the lodge after the young man's departure. His skin is greenish and some patch of it are purple. Salty scents fill the room as he looks at the party with googly red eyes. His wide and toothless mouth gaps open with a loud *SHMUK*.
"Name's Popole. Been at sea lately. Heard there was loot... I mean... lot of people to meet in the pathfinder society. Nice to meet you. I'm from the Absalom Phoenix Genocide. We're just... some professionals. We were hired by the faction named 'the Exchange'. Nice guys, these ones..." he says to present himself.
The frogman wears a mithral chain shirt and has a well-made light crossbow, a sap and a trident at his side. A net hangs in a ball from his belt.
Over the armor, he wears a leather vest with a logo on its back displaying a burning phoenix with the letters APG.
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The elven woman enters the establishment. Her clothing and holy symbol mark her as a devotee of the Savored Sting. She sits down at a table and looks around, looking for someone to flirt with.
She orders a moscato and not really finding anyone to talk with listens to the grippli.
I am Anthelea Calenbriars, worshipper of the Savored Sting. She grants me her blessings in return for bringing about her worship. I am recently Confirmed and on my way here came upon a land protected by a golden dragon. she says as means of introduction.
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A freakishly tall figure wearing spiked armor and a helmet resembling rhino horns approaches the group of Pathfinders and takes off his helmet to speak. Underneath is a tanned bald-headed male with light green eyes that looks at each of his new companions before giving them all a smile. "I 'ear you're my new Society friends for this mission. Great! I'm Marrowtusk and I'm here to make sure nobody gets hurt. If anyone gives you problems, you just tell 'em to talk to your new friend, 'kay?"
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(God, I wrote that at work and realized that's nothing like how that character talks, haha. It's been awhile since I've played so I gotta get back in character.)
"Ey there friends, I imagine you're the group the Society sent me ta meet up with. Some of ya may have heard of me, the name's Marrowtusk and I run Rhino Caravans. If ya haven't heard of me, you'll find out very fast why they say "not ta mess with the rhino unless you want ta get the horns". The Exchange sent for me when they got word of the mission and are paying quite nicely for me ta keep an eye on ya. I'm not much for diplomacy but I'll be right there with our leader in case we need a little muscle."
Marrowtusk is 6'9 and 400 lbs of muscle with spiked full plate covering his body. He takes off his helm to talk which is shaped like a rhino's head with horns, and underneath is a tan bald-headed male with light green eyes. Strapped to his back is a greataxe and a bag hangs off of his belt filled with various supplies.
(Good thing Popole seems to be more of a sea pirate, I think if he was more land-based we might have a problem with a caravan guard and a caravan raider in the same group, haha. Although we're both Exchange so that helps!)
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Eventually the party arrives in Saringallow, and finding the mayor doesn’t take very long. Though most of the denizens in town are quiet, and look at you with a slight suspicion. You overhear rumors of disappeared individuals.
Heading into the town hall, a receptionist shows you to the mayor’s office. The plush red carpet and oak furniture upholstered with velvet lend this room an air of comfort, but it’s also clearly a place of official business, with several layers of administrative papers, staff memos, maps, and charts covering the wide surface of the solid desk in the center. From her tall-backed chair behind her desk, Mayor Sandra Trinelli looks up, shaking herself out of a deep concentration. A subtle look of relief flashes across her face as she motions to the oversized chairs in front of her.
“Normally, I’d exchange more pleasantries with my guests, but I fear there is no time,” she says. “The business that brought you here is quite urgent—it may actually be a matter of life and death.”
“Let me explain. You may have heard that several young apprentices from various establishments in Saringallow have disappeared in the last couple of weeks. Every one of them has failed to show up to work, and nobody seems to know where they’ve gone.”
“That’s not all. Rumors are spreading about sightings of enormous insects roaming about town. So far, the townspeople have chalked up such rumors to overactive imaginations, but I fear they might be real, and that they might have something to do with the missing apprentices. I have no proof that the situations are connected, but if folks get that notion into their heads, things are bound to spiral out of control.”
She shifts nervously, as if avoiding an uncomfortable implication, before continuing. “Please, I implore you to look into this matter quietly and thoroughly—find out where our apprentices have gone and discover the cause of our vermin problem. until you have investigated every possible angle; we need to be ABSOLUTELY sure that we know who or what is responsible before we take any necessary law-enforcement actions.”
“I suggest you start by interviewing the masters of every missing apprentice on this list I’ve compiled. I suspect that, collectively, they might shed some light on the youngsters’ whereabouts. That could in turn illuminate our vermin problem, but until we have more information, I caution you against suggesting to anyone that the two situations are connected. Beyond that, though, you have my full cooperation in this matter. If anyone gives you guff about your line of questioning, show them this letter.”
The mayor pushes a scrap of paper with several names scribbled on it across her desk, as well as a rolled-up, ribbon-bound letter written on thick parchment.
My Fellow Esteemed Citizens,
The bearers of this letter have embarked on a matter of official Saringallow business on my behalf. As such, it is my deepest hope that you will treat them judiciously and conscientiously, and that you will trust that any questions they ask are in the interest of furthering this urgent errand. Please answer their inquiries completely and to the best of your knowledge, as you would answer questions from me personally. Should you be aware of another citizen who may have the information they desire, I implore you to disclose those details, as well as anything else that might be of use. Should you aid my proxies in completing their task, rest assured that you will earn my profound gratitude, as well as any small favor from my office.
Your Humble Mayor,
Sandra Trinelli
List of Missing Apprentices
Betrona Pindlion—apprentice of haberdasher Petrellano Pindlion
Gellion Vazarro—apprentice at Pricknettle’s Potions and Poultices
Morvinarr Albusin—apprentice at Witch’s End tavern
Noemi Tauralio—apprentice at Gunty’s Hearty Breads
Nolaria Wintren—apprentice of the temple and Father Ildris Ruvarra
Pavolus Laterna—apprentice of cobbler Dependable Drummady
”Ofcourse, you will receive payment for each missing apprentice found, and additional for stopping the insect infestations. Do we have a deal?”
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"All ya had ta say was the magic word, Payment. The Exchange will send bill for my services when we're finished with finding your apprentices and exterminating your bug problem. You can count on us, Mayor."
Marrowtusk takes the letter and turns to the group. "Alright little ones, are any of ya good at talkin' ta people? If nobody is good with words, I'm pretty good at gettin' people ta talk. Whoever does our interrogatin' should probably hold on ta this."
(Marrowtusk has pretty good Intimidate if we don't have a Diplomacy skill monkey in our group. Whoever acts as the face of the group should probably take the letter so you can use it kind of like a police officer with a badge, hold it up so they can see we are authorized to do stuff and cooperate.)
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Two old folks playing dice near Merchant’s Square ruminate about the town’s younger generation, including the apprentices.
“Youngsters today are so amiable and carefree with everyone. They aren’t cautious, like we were back in our day. If any of them have done anything other than run off of their own accord, it’s probably because they were too trusting of the wrong person.”
A group of peddlers scurrying through the streets knows many of the apprentices, if only in passing.
“They seem like they’re all friends. In fact, it’s almost like they run in a pack. One or two of them probably convinced the others to all skip work at once, the lazy kids.”
A crowd of trade workers is closely acquainted with Majara Pricknettle, the town’s apothecary, from whom they often purchase home remedies and other supplies.
“Most of the shop owners see their apprentices like workers-in-training. Majara, though, she’s different. She tries to hide it, but that apprentice boy of hers is more like a son to the gnome. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her raise her voice to him.”
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(Is using Intimidate also an option to get information?)
At the mention of "payment", Popole lets out a loud and uncontrolled *RIBBIT*.
He nods respectfully to the mayor and takes the papers.
As he sees that Marrowtusk wants to gather information, he turns his googly eyes on his eyeballs, looking at the group.
"*RIBBIT* I smell of swamp and mud. I will not ask around. I suggest we begin at the tavern. That's always where fun stuff happens. *RIBBIT*"
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Marrowtusk agrees with Popole that we should go to the Witch's End Tavern to try and gain some information.
If we decide to go there, Marrowtusk will find someone sitting alone at the bar to question. "Ey there friend. I'm tryin' ta get some information about some missing apprentices or maybe ya know about somethin' about tha rumors of giant bugs. And don't you lie ta me." Marrowtusk stands tall to tower over his new "friend". "Cause if ya lie ta me and I find out, I'll break ya arms and throw ya off the Conerica Docks."
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Marrowtusk pats his friend on the back and lets him get back to drinking as he walks over to the other Society members. "It sounds like tha apprentices were all young carefree kids that seemed ta do things as a group. Alright, it looks like there's six apprentices missing and six masters ta have a chat with. In fact, looks like there's one right here at tha tavern."
Marrowtusk goes up to the bar again and asks the bartender, "Ey friend, who owns this place? We need ta have a chat with 'em about their missing apprentice."
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A sign depicting a dark-haired figure burning at the stake hangs over the door of this building. Alcie Kruptin is the imposing proprietor of the Witch’s End Tavern. Well over 6 feet tall, she makes a point of learning the name and occupation of every visitor to her establishment, and holds great distrust for adventurers and spellcasters; the only reason the tavern is so popular with travelers is because its food is phenomenal.
She looks evenly at Marrowtusk, who is about her height. "Unless you want to order something, I don't have time for your nonsense." She seems to be in a foul mood. Perhaps you can try to impress her by either showing your knowledge of the town, or by showing some bluster that will lend to keeping peace in her tavern.
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Dana walks into the tavern with sovereign self-assurance and approaches the bar with slow steps.
"Greetings to you all. You are the Pathfinders I was looking for I suppose. Aaftaab is my name!" says the woman with a sly smile to the other Pathfinders.
She looks a little scrawny but quite agile. Her black hair and her features have an exotic appeal and she is wearing a long black dress.
Below her dress light leather armor is visible and she carries a Scimitar at her hip that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain.
Resting on top of her chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Sarenrae is visible.
She has a natural presence that only few can project at such a young age although she does not come across aloof or arrogant ... rather strong in personality.
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”The mayor told me that you have already been in her office and that she provided you with the means through a document to investigate the disappearances and question the people of this town!“
She turns to the barkeeper and looks at him with a stern look.
”I believe that my companions asked you a question! Please be polite and answer!“
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Alcie seems to take some response to Marrowtusk's threats. "I like you." You ask her about the missing apprentices.
"Morvinarr, as the biggest and strongest of his friends, saw himself as their protector. Where they went, he went, always making sure to keep them out of harm’s way. Most often it was Nolaria who led them on wild adventures outside of town; they would often return to the tavern to boast about their exploits. Recently, however, they seem to have been avoiding the Witch’s End, and Morvinarr has been taking more time off. Something tells me they have been getting involved in something I would not approve of." She scowls a bit. "And I suspect it may have something to do with magic."
Kruptin reaches into her pocket. "Furthermore, when Morvinarr disappeared, I found this up in his room. Before you ask, no, I do not know where the usual place is. Hopefully one of the other masters will." Kruptin leaves after that comment. Some time later she comes back out with a roasted quill coated in spices and seasonings that would make any mouth water.
"On the house, handsome."
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Aaftaab tries to remember what was said but knows her bad memory and starts writing everything down.
"Thank you Kruptin! You will definitely not regret that you spoke to us - we will make sure that the kids are alright. I was young too and know that the road to discipline is hard to follow. Ohh ... this food looks delicious!! Thank you!" she says beaming.
"So what do we do now? Gather some info in town or visit the other masters? Maybe somebody recognizes the handwriting on the letter?!" she says and smiles as if she was very smart.
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Popole is relieved to see Aaftaab write the stuff down. He has a pretty weak memory as well. He carefully steps down the counter to follow the bard to which he introduces himself.
"*RIBBIT* I'm Popole. Yes, I think we wasted enough time talking to drunkards. Let's chose another master... I say we follow Nolaria's trail and go to the temple. What do you all think about it?"
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The peasants brought in by House Sarini built this temple to Erastil in the early days of the settlement, and it is now one of the largest
and oldest structures in town. The space is dedicated to the needs of the people, rather than the needs of the temple’s staff: the infirmary and housing areas for the poor dwarf the priests’ modest chambers. Many people pass through on a daily basis, seeking blessings and prayers before traveling or interacting with outsiders.
The current head priest is Ildris Ruvarra. Though he has lived in Saringallow for only a decade or so, he is well respected for his selflessness as a healer. Ruvarra’s adopted daughter, Nolaria Wintren, is also his apprentice, and has gone missing.
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Finding Ildris Ruvarra does not take long. He is at work treating injured and infirmed. When you arrive, he bows his head in greeting. "Hail, newcomers. What ails you?"
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"Greetings, friend. We've been sent by the mayor ta investigate the disappearances of the town's apprentices. We hear that your adopted daughter Nolaria is involved and would like ta know if you have any information that can help us." Marrowtusk will show the priest the letter from the mayor to validate their investigation, making sure to be a bit more professional and respectful at a holy site such as the temple.
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”Ah yes. My apologies, but my duties have prevented me from searching myself. If you can help, I would be most appreciative.”
”Noralia was an orphan of the Goblinblood Wars, and her tendency to bend rules got her into trouble every now and then. I sincerely do not believe, however, that she would knowingly or willingly endanger her friends… Though she has sometimes overestimated her abilities.”
”She was last seen at the Old Graveyard along with her loyal pet raven.”
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"The graveyard is probably the Gallow's Graveyard at the northwest part of town, it looks big and might be a lot ta check out so how about we talk ta the other masters first? We still got Petrello's Haberdashery's apprentice, Pricknettle's Potions' apprentice, Gunty's Hearty Breads' apprentice and the cobbler's apprentice at Dependable Drummady. I don't know what a haberdashery is but someone mentioned the apprentices might be playing with magic so Pricknettle's Potions might have somethin ta do with that. Let's hurry up and finish chattin with Father Ildris and head over there next, yeah?"