You're all hanging around in Grand Lodge in Absalom when you receive a letter from the Radiant Oath's faction leader, Urwal. Considered eccentric even by the Pathfinder Society's standards the Iruxi showed up one day and just started correcting the errors of the society. Mislabeled Mwangi artifacts, sorting insect collections, and documenting constellations in the night sky are just some of the activities he's partaken in while working.
The letter reads:
Three months ago, the Green passed briefly beside the Stranger, the two in confluence for a half-turning of a moon. In Finadar’s heart, the spirits run riot. Flesh and flower flow together, and bones walk on limbs of wood. Soon, the Child shall pass beneath the aegis of the Mother. The time is auspicious for the Pathfinders to fix what was broken. Journey to Iobarian Mishkar. At the caravansary beneath, amid the stalls, you will find Jaldan, a shaman of Redpine. She will wait for you there until the moon turns once more. Do not dally.
You all know that the Society not too long ago helped the locals of Findar Forrest with a fire enhanced by an ancient cyclopean ritual. This fire was set by a conversation minded group of goblins doing a controlled burn who later emigrated west.
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Kaclenna crumples the cryptic letter in her hand, a beautiful middle aged half-elf woman stands shrouded in her darkened cowl that covers most of her body. Her sing song voice sounds with slight irritation as she looks to her companions. "What does this even mean? Seems we have been summoned to find Jaldan but why so cryptic?" She sighs, taking a breath to help control herself. "It's alright." Counting to 10 slowly she calms herself. It hadn't been long since she was last patrolling Lastwall. Oh, how she missed those peaceful days. Well peaceful compared to what the Tyrant brought.
Opening her eyes she grabs her pack and a shield emblazoned with a rapier with a dark lotus. She offers a small salute, looking everyone over. "Name's Kaclenna."
Kaclenna is not trained in either Occultism or Nature but if it applies the modifiers are Occultism (+0) and Nature (+1)
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Concurring "It is like a poem - written in prose?" Tonally turning a statement into a question halfway through speaking it. He reads the missive a second time. "Perhaps a story of forbidden love? Your guess is as good as mine!" Adopting a reciprocal salute... "Kaclenna, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Jolinaxus, but my friends call me Joli." ...and ending his hand motion by a placement over his heart.
Strangemuse is typically considered good looking by both human and orc standards, and his calm, collected demeanor lends him a magnetism as an orator, knowing how to choose words that can stir a heart. And while he carries an assortment of classic monastic weapons, he doesn't dress orthodoxically, preferring instead to keep current with Taldan fashion trends, but doing so in ways that showcase and accentuate both his human and orc features. He is of strict temperance.
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A pale gnome with dark hair and darker eyes appears next, a flickmace at his side and a longbow strapped to his back, and an odd straw-stuffed doll head with a needle-like beak tied opposite his flickmace on the belt.
"Ah, I see I've arrived in the middle of your conversation. Dob Frilko, at your service. Just as long as there aren't any hoards of undead, 'squitos, or 'seekers, I'm game for whatever fancy poetic adventures loom on the horizon."
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A red-haired dwarf, with a drum hanging at his side, walks over to the half-elven woman and nods. "Aye, the Iruxi are known to be cryptic in their ways, even on the best of days. Met Urwal briefly at a party not so long ago, and he seemed a bit touched by the spirits, if you get my meaning." He glances around at the assembled group. "Olnik Shadowstone at your service. I'd be happy to join in this expedition, find out what foulness Urwal has stumbled upon in these woods."
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A pompous looking elf gets up and takes the letter and goes over it. After some pondering, he says "You can call me Inathel. I am of the clan Gunuthelan from Kyonin, for those of you knowledgeable enough to understand society. I do know many things, so allow me to think for a while." Despite his lack of manners, the Inathel exhales an air of calm and security, which cushions his aggressive entrance.
So collectively you all manage to figure out that Urwal is referencing constellations in his letter. The Green is the planet of Castrovel, associated with fertility, while the Stranger is one of the constellations of the Cosmic Caravan, associated with ill magic and typically depicted as a single, staring eye. The Child is another name for Golarion, while the Mother is another of the Cosmic Caravan, associated with protection.
In addition Iobaria's major forms of worship revolves around nature spirits. Most major religious figures tend to be druids.
Findarr Forrest is famous for its blood pines. Trees with needles so flammable that fires occur as part of its natural life span. Despite the high risk of fires the locals work to minimize the impact should one occur. The Pathfinder Society recently got involved with an incident where one such controlled burn went out of control due to an accidental activation of an ancient Cyclopean ritual designed to summon fire elementals.
You make the way to the town of Mishkar. It's quite busy with new construction all over. You can spot some signs of damage from fire but they are few and far between. The caravansary has merchants from Brevoy and a large assortment of clerks, guards, and kids darting to and fro. Unfortunately, neither anyone named Jaldan or matching her description seems to be present.
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Proverbially, Jolinaxus will shake the tree to see what "blood pines" fall.
Circling around the courtyard to eyeball a curved row of merchants, he begins mentally plotting a path, in a rough order of "most-likely-to-pack-up-early" to "least-likely", expecting that it will have to be much more than one person he asks before getting any useful or reliable information. "Fair day!" he greets in Taldane (Common) "I am a traveler from afar, seeking one whose person I do not yet recognize, a local by the name of Jaldan, for as the stars have foretold, we are fated to meet, that I and my company may set right a wrong, to which I cannot say much more than that." Cocking one eyebrow down to put a question mark on the statement.
He will vary his statement slightly from person to person, intending to speak with a similar cryptic tone as the original missive which served as the catalyst to this arrival.
Jolinaxus you unfortunately keep on running into people who are construction workers who just arrived at the city.
Olink you manage to find the tracks of Jaldan and are able to follow them quite eaily.
Upon following them you see the peculiar sight of a teenaged centaur girl yelling at a tree. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that she is actually yelling at a pair of human children who have climbed the tree: a boy and a girl, each about ten years old, with matching red hair and homespun clothes. The girl nonchalantly eats an apple while the boy rifles through a decorated leather satchel.
"You little demons, give that back! the centaur yells, flicking her tail in profound irritation.
“Hmm. Nope,” the girl in the tree says, munching on the apple. “Not until you show us how to make those dead squirrel monsters! the boy calls down.
“Sure, I’ll show you! Come on down, I’ll make two dead monsters! Little devils, with red hair!," the centaur yells, then spots your approach. “... Oh no. You’re… did Urwal send you? Oh no. Um. Can you just... I’m sorry, could you come back in a half hour? Please?"
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Declining the centaur's offer, Jolinaxus attempts a gentle but swift redirection instead "I'm sure that there is a simple resolution at hand."
Directing his full attention now to the red-haired lad in the tree "Ahoy there young rebel!" Smiling without pretense or admonishment "We here are with Uncle Urwal, and what would he think if he knew you were repossessing the belongings of one of his right hand men?"
Inathel while walking around gathering information you come across a farmer. He says," Yup. Saw her with a bunch of kids in the apple orchard. Just be careful. Your not from around here and we'll there's strange things happening. My scarecrow just up and walked away. Kind of made a weird screeching sound... Like this.. Grawww.... Anyway, stay safe."
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Kaclenna follows along with Olnik and Inathel as she watches the children from beneath her cowl. She grimaces at the mention of the dead. A tremor comes over her body. "Dead squirrel monsters?!" She waits to see if Joliaxus can make the difference with the children before she has to assert some form of authority.
So you learn from the farmer that the language was abyssal. From your communications you learn the scarecrow was saying," Protect the forest."
Jaldan kind of relaxes at Olinik's reassurance and says," Well you see the money I was supposed to give to you is in that bag. The kids overheard how I'm the newest shaman of the Redpine tribe and decided to take my bag hostage. One creepy plant squirrel in exchange for the bag."
She just rubs her temple in exasperation and says," Not that I could even summon a normal squirrel. I've only managed to accomplish water and I'm still making mistakes. Here try some and tell me what you think. "
She offers up a waterskin and for those of you who try it
Upon hearing Kaclenna the boy perks up and says," Yeah! It’s like, a dead squirrel, with a bunch of branches stuck in it, and it moves kinda like a centipede, and it’s got burning eyes with bloodpine sap, and it’s the awesomest thing I’ve ever seen."
Heaving a deep sigh Jaldan adds,"Polluted nature spirits. I'm pretty sure they saw a polluted nature spirit. Normally they are a bit more discerning than random assortment of parts"
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Olnik takes a brief sip from the waterskin and nods. "A hint of sassafrass, maybe, mixed with some mint."
Olnik raises an eyebrow up at the children in the tree. "The awesomest thing you've ever seen, eh? Well, how about you come down here, and we'll see about some other magic for yeh? I don't know about dead centipede squirrels ... but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. But give the lady back her stolen goods. I don't do free shows for thieves and hooligans."
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Inathel approaches the discussing group. After hearing what it was about, he thinks I could make a small magical light and say it's a fairy that could be their friend. But lying like that is beneath me. Ugh, why do human children need to be like this? He waits to see how the others convince the children to come down.
The kids whisper to one another debating Jolinaxus' question. " Ok. We'll come down. Are there any wizards down there? Wizards are cool. Can the wizard show us magic. That is like a squirrel," the boy calls out with a slight degree of excitement in his voice.
After the request the two kids climb down and stare excitedly at you all expecting something cool to happen.
Jaldan spends a few minutes sorting out her pack, making sure that the children haven’t stolen or broken anything inside. Finally, she relaxes, closing the pack. “I might actually survive.” The centaur says. “Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!! You just saved my hooves. Uh... when we get back to camp, could you maybe, uh... not mention this to anyone. Please?"
"So, here’s the story. Over the last few months, something really weird has happened to the local forest spirits. They’ve always been a little cranky, but now they’ve gone from ‘Auntie Kaana before she has her morning tea’ to ‘We will bake bread from your bones’. They’re not talking to the druids or the shamans, and when Cenenviel tried to do a big ritual to ask them what’s wrong, a tree animated and tried to kill him. "
“So that’s bad. Worse, the spirits have started making bodies for themselves. You know leshys, right? Well, normally, only druids can make one. They grow a little plant or mushroom body, nicely ask a spirit to come inside, and poof, leshy. Except now the spirits are making their own bodies, and they’re really creepy, and also violent. I had to smash something that looked like a dead skunk crossed with a thornbush when it tried to eat my face last night."
“These things have been attacking people, starting fires, and trying to burn down the forest. I don’t think anyone’s gotten killed yet, but it’s probably going to happen sooner rather than later."
“Anyway, that’s what Cenenviel, Kaana, and your Urwal are trying to figure out now at the Redpine camp. They seem to think you can help. So! Get your stuff and let’s get going! Any other questions"
Jaldan also gives you 5gp, an owlbear claw, and a lesser cheetah's elixir.
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Jolinaxus drops to a knee, down to the youngster's height, and reassures him "You made the right choice, and I'm positive Uncle Urwal will be proud." Feigning a couple fast punches, he tests the boy's reflexes, which, if he makes any attempt to dodge, says "You have a warrior's Instinct, and will make a fine Pathfinder someday, if that's what you want!" but if he doesn't attempt to dodge, instead Jolinaxus says "You have a warrior's Heart, and will make a fine Pathfinder someday, if that's what you want!"
Standing up, he confronts the lass now, sizing her up, and says "I sense strong Conviction with you, young one. Use it to take care of your brother, for there may come a time when he will need your guidance." A little more serious than playful with whom he presumes to be the older (or more responsible) sibling.
With that, he smiles toothily - as if to ruin his own tone with a dash of silliness! - before proceeding to follow Jaldan where she leads the party next...
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Kaclenna smiles beneath her hood at Jolinaxus's exchange with the youngster. "What could make the Spirits turn like they are? This sounds like the death creep caused by the Whispering Tyrant back near Lsatwall."
Though in truth she doesn't know much about the naturalistic aspect of this seemingly dark matter. "How far is the camp?"
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Inathel suppresses the will to play with the children and says "Magic is not a toy for you to play with. Now if you wish, I suggest you look for a master to teach you, but I warn you that even the simplest magic tricks take years of studying and practicing." Then, he follows in the centaur's steps who was trailing ahead.
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Olnik gives a glance at the elf, then shakes his head at the children. "Let that teach you the truth of rumors about wizards bein' cool. I'll do you one better, though ... I'm a bard, and our magic is the stuff of inspiration and imagination ..."
He begins banging on his drum, and as he does so, the sound seems to shimmer, occasionally coalesing into physical images of light - crude and artifical constructs, which dissipate quickly, but are hopefully more than enough to impress these children, together with the dwarven drumming.
"Warrior, bard, or wizard ... find your own song, young ones, and sing it."
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Dob just watches, jealous of the young humans' sense of wonder.
The news of dark spirit forces animating cobbled bodies was something new, though, and new things were why the gnome joined the society.
"Have any of these bodies been destroyed and studied? Are they actually a combination of animal and plant matter, or merely appearing so?" he asks the centaur.
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As the group follows Jaldan, Inathel says "Something has been bothering me. While talking to a farmer, he said that one of his scarecrows got up and started walking. He attempted to imitate the sounds it made, and it seemed to me it said 'Protect the forest' in Abyssal.", as though the thought of sharing this information just occurred to him. He adds "This seems strange, since fey usually don't speak in that language. There may be something more than fey at work here."
The kids are rather amused at the antics except for the wizard upon which they stick their tongues out when he's preoccupied.
The centaur kind of looks around and says," I haven't had a chance to look at the bodies myself but I'm sure the druids back at camp have. Truth be told it's a combination of materials that looks like a body. I've heard rumors that even a scarecrow got up and walked away. "
So as your entering the forest you come upon am off sight. A band of absolutely bizarre creatures crawls from the forest, chirping and hooting as they go. A moss-covered human skull scuttles along six branches like a spider. A dead raccoon slinks along on a fungal mat that bleeds sap from a hundred crimson ‘eyes’. A twisted mass of weeds topped with pulsing flowers staggers forward, leaving trails of burning sap.
As the tiny monsters approach, something odd happens. One dreadful creature, a rotten gourd walking on three rabbit feet, lunges toward Jaldan, only to trip and smash itself against an upraised root. Some kind of hot sap splashes around it, and in seconds the bruorsivi needles catch light and begin to burn. “Spirits of woe and weal,” Jaldan swears softly, watching in horrified fascination. “They’re going to set the whole forest aflame.”
The kids are rather amused at the antics except for the wizard upon which they stick their tongues out when he's preoccupied.
The centaur kind of looks around and says," I haven't had a chance to look at the bodies myself but I'm sure the druids back at camp have. Truth be told it's a combination of materials that looks like a body. I've heard rumors that even a scarecrow got up and walked away. "
So as your entering the forest you come upon am off sight. A band of absolutely bizarre creatures crawls from the forest, chirping and hooting as they go. A moss-covered human skull scuttles along six branches like a spider. A dead raccoon slinks along on a fungal mat that bleeds sap from a hundred crimson ‘eyes’. A twisted mass of weeds topped with pulsing flowers staggers forward, leaving trails of burning sap.
As the tiny monsters approach, something odd happens. One dreadful creature, a rotten gourd walking on three rabbit feet, lunges toward Jaldan, only to trip and smash itself against an upraised root. Some kind of hot sap splashes around it, and in seconds the bruorsivi needles catch light and begin to burn. “Spirits of woe and weal,” Jaldan swears softly, watching in horrified fascination. “They’re going to set the whole forest aflame.”
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It is not immediately apparent that Jolinaxus is affiliated with Pathfinder Society just by looking at him. He does however bear a proud symbol of Abadar across his chest.
Jaldan says," That looks like them to me. We have to stop that fire or else the whole forest will burn. "