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Yoy have been in Caliphas for the past few days. While perusing job boards, you come across a tattered and rain-stained bounty pinned on top of fresh ones.
Knight in need of adventurers who can brave undead-infested lands. Please contact the master innkeeper of the Elderberry Cellar to arrange a meeting.
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Big Jig, the exiled and aspiring king of Jigland, has reached the end of his last tiny bottle of wine. He stares at the bottle mournfully as the rain drips around him and his beloved First Secretary Floof, minister of transportation.
"Ah Floof, my greatest advisor! Here we are in lovely Caliphas, surrounded by some of the best vineyards in the Inner Sea region, and we are out of wine!"
He upends the bottle, allowing his corgi a taste of the last drips and sighs. "We must purchase more wine, and get... what is it called? Oh yes, a job!" Jig had hoped with his courtly graces and deep knowledge of politics to get a job at Court, but one prank stealing Countess Caliphvaso's undergarments and he was suddenly evicted from that fine establishment. "If only Bigfolk had a sense of humor!"
Then he brightens when he sees the fresh new bounty on the board. "Look, Floof! A job! And it's a Knight, so surely he will have to buy us more wine while he tells us what he wants us to do. We'll slay some undead, amass more treasure, and then... we'll hit every tavern in town!"
First Secretary Floof licks at the tiny bottle eagerly and then whimpers when it's empty. When Jig explains his amazing plan, his foxy tail wags and thumps the ground. "Arf!"
Let's go!
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A large but with a calm demeanor for a bearded man arrives at the scene after being here in Caliphas for a few days. He wears a simple shirt and khaki pants, but conspicuous in him is his religious symbol of Sarenrae. Slung around him is his satchel of tools for healing with weapons such as a staff and scimitar. Fortunately, he is just in time to receive one of the papers on the desk.
After reading an interesting bounty, he looks around to find anyone who might be interested in it as well. Noticing a cute dog next to him that is talking, his curiosity is picqued, but on second look, he finds that it is not the corgi who is really talking but the rider on it.
"Hello, I am Henri. I here that you are interested in the bounty as well. I hope you don't mind me joining you." he tells Jig as he gives her a warm smile.
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A tall man in priestly robes also happens to glance at the board.
"Undead, you say," he says quietly, "Mayhap I can be of service."
Turning, he sees the sprite and his mount. "What an adorable creature!" he says, fondly scratching behind the dog's ears. "Are you inquiring about the job as well?"
"Oh, where are my manners! I am Olaf. Olaf Spiritwell, Warpriest of Nethys, at your service."
"Arf!" First Secretary Floof wags his tail happily as his ears are scratched.
This job has perks!
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"Well met, Henri and Olaf! I am Big Jig, the exiled and aspiring King* of Jigland!" Jig says grandly, mounting First Minister Floof as he looks at the two bigfolk who have joined him. "My people elected me king, and told me that I could come back once I have adventured in the big world and brought back enough treasure for our treasury. However, I am not your king, so can just call me Big Jig, or Jig for short."
First Secretary Floof whimpers and his trail droops when his name is not also mentioned.
But what about me?
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"Ah, yes." Big Jig pats Floof, and says, "And this fine steed is First Secretary Floof, my Minister of Transportation! You cannot ask for a more stalwart and true companion!"
Big Jig smiles up at his companions. "So, you two Bigfolk are up for slaying undead too? Excellent! We will make a grand team! So where are you two from, actually? Jigland is far, far away, in the River Kingdoms to the South and East of here."
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Henri blinks twice after Big Jig introduces himself as king of Jigland, but he does not explicitly questions it. He instead gives recognition of Jig's introduction and bows at his corgi, First Secretary Floof. "It is good to hear that your people allowed you to travel far and wide. I hope your kingdom is doing well. And yes, I am here so that undead will be cleansed and brought back to death with the fire of Sarenrae. I hail from Katapesh but have been traveling as well and find myself here in Caliphas as I spread the word about Sarenrae. In this place where undead is prevalent, I believe she has sent me here to bring those in the darkness to her fiery light."
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A tree size of a human child shambles toward pathfinders. They have a dense beard and eyebrows, which on a closer inspection appear to be pine needles. From both sides of trunk grows a thick branch of which right one is grasping a morningstar.
"Hello, big folks. Me Pine Sapling, protector of my ancestral forests in the land of Andoran. I'm also skilled medic and patching wounded people once led me to the Society."
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Big Jig bows, and says to Pine Sapling in Sylvan, "When the forest walks, all enemies shall be afraid. I am proud to call you ally."
Then Big Jig looks up at Yakuthiel from the top of First Secretary Floof's head. "Treeflyer is an interesting name. Is there a story behind it? Are you a prodigious climber of trees? At any rate, this is great. We can present ourselves as a mighty host at this Elderberry Cellar and get information about our great quest!"
"Arf!" says First Secretary Floof.
And wine!
Then First Secretary Floof sniffs the little pine tree's roots to see if any other dogs have peed there.
First Secretary Floof's tail droops and he whimpers. "Arf?"
But... he's a tree!
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Once you have gathered up, you head for the Elderberry Cellar. When you get there, the innkeeper points you to a private suite upstairs at the end of the corridor. As the group approaches the room, a muffled explosion occurs and the door at your destination opens, revealing a slightly smoky and disheveled Chelaxian man in his late twenties. At first mistaking the you for the innkeeper, he apologizes for the continued racket. Once he realizes you’re here about the bounty, he introduces himself as Timitheo Ralovon (male human Knight of Lastwall). The explosion was him testing some delayed holy bombs.
Timitheo explains that he last saw his old friends when they were leading undead away from the refugees, and adds that the group was last seen rowing a boat toward an unnamed island off the shores of Lake Encarthan. Realistically, he doesn’t believe they survived. Nevertheless, he wants confirmation and to recover some mementos for burial if possible.
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"Well met, Sir Ralovon, I am Big Jig, the exiled and aspiring King of Jigland," Jig bows in a very courtly manner. "The burly colleague who spoke first is Yakuthiel Treeflyer, and I will let my other colleagues, including my steed, First Secretary Floof, introduce themselves to you." Then Jig pulls out a notebook.
"May I assume that these were refugees from your homeland, the kingdom of Lastwall, that was overrun by undead forces from the Whispering Tyrant?" Jig looks at Sir Ralovon, and then around the group. "This may take some time for you to give us the particulars on each of your missing friends for this recovery -- and possibly, with hope -- rescue mission. Perhaps a bit of the innkeeper's fine wine would not go amiss?" Jig hints and says to one of his colleagues, "Also could you open a window to let the smoke out a bit? It appears too bulky and high up for me to lift."
Notebook in hand, Big Jig raises his pen. "I would like their names, general descriptions and as much as you can remember about their heading."
"Arf!"
First Secretary Floof introduces himself to Sir Ralovon, wagging his tail.
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There are five people missing, three knights and two squires. Timitheo provides you with more personal and physical details.
His knight, Falckre Boltarin (male human knight) had scraggly, dirty blond hair. He was about a decade older than Timitheo and treated the squire like a younger brother. Falckre suffered from chronic back pain and managed it with a special elixir.
Dorenea Havern (female human rogue) was always bald in Timitheo’s memories, so he is uncertain of her exact hair color. Her loyal albino rabbit Denufair was always at her side. Dorenea enjoyed decorating Denufair with brightly-colored bows. Dorenea’s squire, a glaive-wielding magus named Rook Caverre (male half-orc) was also an animal lover and had a hound named Pups. Rook’s hair was black and neatly trimmed.
Garmon Oppendie (male human cleric of Gorum) was once a member of the cavalry until he lost an arm. Timitheo remembers his massive gray beard more than his hairstyle. Garmon’s hot-headed squire Averlace (female human squire) aspired to live up to Garmon’s glory. She had long brown hair with a vivid red braid.
First Secretary Floof growls as he considers his poor fellow hound in danger.
We must save Pup!
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"Do you have any reason to believe that they survived? If not, then we must put their spirits to rest. I believe Nethys will grant us the grace to put them to rest."
The priest goes silent, then realizes that everyone is staring at him.
"Oh, I am Olaf Spiritwell. Forgive my inattention. My mind tends to wander at times..."
He winks at Jig and Floof...
"Arf! Arf" First Secretary Floof looks pleadingly at Olaf, giving the cleric big eyes.
We must rescue Pup! Oh and Pup's bigfolk, too!
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Big Jig thinks a moment and considers, asking his team, "Will all of you be able to carry those bigfolk bodies back, in case they're not alive? I certainly can't."
Jig looks over Henri Hart, Olaf Spiritwell, Yakuthiel and Pine Sapling. "Are you all strong enough to carry back seven bodies?" Then he turns back to his host. "Perhaps we should discuss important supplies. We will need wine, a cart, wine, and maybe a donkey to pull the cart."
"Arf!"
And wine!
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"Henri Hart, you can just call me Henri." the cleric introduces himself to Timitheo. He then looks at the sprite about his inquiry. "Well, maybe we can be lent with some carts to carry them. But I don't want to think they are dead already." he answers him as he looks at the knight on the assumption that they might be already dead.
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As I said, Realistically, I don’t believe they survived. Nevertheless, I want confirmation and to recover some mementos for burial if possible.
Now do you have any further questions?
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"Zombies and skeletons are the most common forms of undead, so we should make sure to bring slashing thingies and bludgeoning thingies." Then Big Jig attempts to reach down and cover First Secretary Floof's ears. "Also... numerous pets came back from the dead to attack their owners, particularly those who were abandoned. So we may have trouble bringing back Denufair and Pups."
"Grrrrr...." First Secretary Floof growls, little doggy eyes narrowing.
I heard that.
Having stayed muted until now, an obviously clerical woman in kelish clothes and with the holy symbol of Sarenrae on the torso tries to remember something as well.
religion:
But she doesn't have anything to add to what the others members of the party have already remembered.
She introduces herself nevertheless: Hello, my name's Kyra and I will pray for Sarenrae to guide us in this mission to save people from the throes of the undead.
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You have One Hero Point each. ((Do Glyphs apply for Bounties?))
Timitheo arranges a boat, the Faithful Return, to take you most of the way. You should therefore prepare to leave Caliphas early the next morning. The ship has its own security so you can rest at night, though you are welcome to help keep watch—the captain mentions that this island is cursed. A strange gray fog soon rolls in, blanketing the island ahead. As a result, for those whose eyes can see well in starlight, it may be both safer and easier to venture on to the island at night.
Once the island comes into view, the captain drops anchor and provides two rowboats for travel. Having scouted the island from a distance before under the starlight, she suggests the party approach the island from the west and disembark on the northern shore.
During the night, the moon and starlight are the primary light sources, blanketing the island in dim light.
Make Perception checks.
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Jig is very impressed by the holy magics of the Sarenrae priestess who popped into existence behind them. The ways of the gods are mysterious, indeed.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
On the boat, Jig is fascinated by everything. He peppers the crew with dozens of questions about rigging and sailor's knots, gets himself tangled in rope, or takes naps in the crow's nest. But he does take turns on watch, given his excellent night vision.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
"I think we should go in at night when it's not foggy, what do you Big Folk think?" Jig asks the Captain, "Will you be coming back later to pick us up?"
Perception:
The priestess finds out that she must have forgotten her wayfinder somewhere as it's not in her backpack where it should.
Could someone make some light around? It would be easier to see.
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Henri smiles at the cleric. "It is nice to meet another cleric of Sarenrae." he tells her. "Let us guide these people as we all fulfill the mission ahead of us."
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Henri lights up his wayfinder to help him see in the night. He keeps his eyes open and will alert the others of what he can easily find something unusual.
The woman nods to Henri: Sarenrae herself will guide us for sure, not letting two of her humble priests stand alone against undead.
And she tells what she notices.