A Hero Named Epoli

quests HERALD OF THE EMBER

Epoli, a Knight from the Order of the Ember, has traveled across deserts, mountains, and forests to warn the people of Eem of the Gloom King's imminent return. She approaches you on a snorting charger looking for aid. Travel to 3 locations and warn her contacts of the Gloom King's coming. Go to the Last Tree in the Used T'Be Forest and inform C. Constance Canderbandy; Muckland Harbor in Scalawag Strand and inform Jolly Good; southern Drippy Downs and inform the unicorn called Paldar the Thunderhoof. She also says to find an Ember Knight named Hada somewhere in the Mucklands.

• Telling C. Constance Canderbandy at the Last Tree (p366) results in the gnome's immediate understanding. Canderbandy requests the PCs investigate rumors of Gloom, also known as The Old Fog or Witchbreath, permeating around the town of Marshgate. This Gloom is the trademark of the Gloom King and the workers around there have apparently been contracting some kind of strange illness.
• Telling Jolly Good in Muckland Harbor (p279) results in the old sailor having a fright. At first, Jolly Good doesn't want to hear it, but if successfully coaxed, he shares a rumor about a ruined temple in The Coral Forest where sorcery is afoot. Perhaps the Gloom King is involved, perhaps not. Either way, there's evil unchecked, or so he has heard.
• Paldar is in the Riddle Spinney (see quest Origin of the Ooze p42). When told, Paldar asks the PCs to investigate Whisperdale Meadow (p50). Rumor has it that the dead are restless there and it could be the work of the Gloom King.

HARRYING THE HAND

Epoli is on a perilous quest to warn the people of Eem of the Gloom King's return. But she has many enemies. She is being pursued by a warband of Felmog Outriders. Led by General Kaldewar, they are called Ulfrex's Hand. Epoli asks you to waylay Ulfrex's Hand, or throw them off of her trail. Beware, they are very dangerous.

• Ulfrex's Hand is composed of 4 FELMOG KNIGHTS (L6‑B) and their leader, General Kaldewar (L6-C). They are only half a day behind Epoli traveling along the Great Slog.