"Hilor and the Secrets of the Needleglens"

Note · 55 gp · Weight 2

Book the Second of the Astonishing Exploits of Venture-Captain Hilor, published by the Pathfinder Society {br}"The skeptical ranger followed Hilor, who skirted the glade and cautiously surveyed the forest around them. 'If you're hoping to find someone here, Captain, you're wasting your time. The Needleglens are totally uninhabited. A wild animal might stray into these parts, but there are no people here.' 'Tell me,' began the venture-captain, drawing out the words, 'what is the secret to this place? The Worldwound is a stone's throw away, but the Needleglens look like an ordinary, healthy forest. No bubbling mold on the ground, no trees that are identical down to the last leaf, no trace of demons whatsoever.' The ranger answered after a long pause. 'I don't know for sure, Captain. But people have different theories. Some say that the Needleglens are cursed by forces that came to this world before the demons — horrible creatures that could addle your mind with a single look. People say that's why the demons avoid this place — they're afraid.' Hilor scoffed. His guide's tale was surely nothing but a cock-and-bull story, but the idea — of his quarry hiding at the very heart of a place thought to pose a dire threat to her — well, he couldn't help being tickled by that. The Spinner of Nightmares's trail led here, to this strange wood, there was no doubt about that. But how did she ever find the way here? Hilor fished his tracker's monocle out from the depths of his pack, clipped it on his nose, looked up — and let out a full-bellied laugh. 'I can't fault the harridan for her ingenuity, but she might've changed up her nasty tricks, knowing the arsenal I carry. Follow me!' The ranger scoffed in disbelief. The forest remained as much a mystery to him as before, but Hilor's gaze, directed as it was through the Eye of Truth, effortlessly picked out the magical notches on the tree trunks, leading to an as yet unknown destination."