Patlin
Explorer
A Clash of Earth and Sea (Adventure Hook)
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A courier arrives in the Red Dragon Inn, bearing a small package carefully bound in some sort of canvas. Moving quickly to the bar, he presents it to Joe, and then hurries on to his next destination.
Unwrapping the package carefully, Joe reveals a small chest. It's about 6" x 4" x 3" in dimension, and the chest itself gleams of silver.
"Oh my! How pretty!" He comments, as he pulls a note loose from underneath some loose objects. "I've always like pearls."
Those who sit near the bar can see that the small chest is indeed filled with a fairly large number of pearls.
Reading over the note, Joe adresses the room.
"This may interest some of you. Seems a small community of Merfolk need the assistance of a party of adventurers. Some sort of demonic taint is spreading throughout their lake, turning the fish vicous and deadly. They want me to hold on to these pearls and to give up to one fifth of the amount to any adventurer returning to me with a letter indicating they've succeeded in the mission... that looks to be about 1,500 gold upon completion. They want adventurers able to walk on land, since they think that a Merrow with some sort of magic powers is responsible, and the Merrow move about on dry land a lot better than the merfolk."
"I don't suppose any of you swim?"
That's another 1,500 gp held for you all by Joe. The merfolk have notified him of your success.