Editing Group Two Plot Hooks (section)

===Hooks===

*An elven merchant named Sindar needs a package delivered to Selenica, far to the north in the Republic of Darokin

*A merchant named Hakeem has been asking around, looking for a group of adventurers "bold and good of heart" for some unspecified job of some risk but great reward.

*The local merchant Clifton Caldwell has recently purchased the old Antilles Castle to the southwest of Threshold and has put the word out that he is looking for "Qualified Eviction Personnel".

*Rumors of an evil temple and caves filled with all manner of dangerous humanoids just outside of Castlellan Keep -- far to the northeast of Threshold -- have filtered into town, brought by soldiers on leave. Apparently the garrison at the Keep has is too busy fighting feral giants to spend time rooting around the caverns, which are said to be vast and labyrinthine.

*There have been a rash of disappearances around Threshold over the past two years. At least fourteen individuals have vanished without a trace. The only clue linking all the disappearances is that each was either a member of the Thieve's Guild or had ties to it.

*Most everyone is looking forward to the Gnomish caravan. Benedir gathers that worthy individuals can be hired on as guards for the trip down to Specularum, or on the way back as the caravan makes it way back into Darokin.
The following contests have been announced:
1)Riddles. The winner will be awarded a gold medal and 100 gold pieces.
2)Archery. The winner will receive a medal and a quiver of enchanted arrows.
3)Single combat with blunt weapons. The winner will receive a medal and a magical sword.
4)Wrestling. The winner recieves a medal and 100 gp.
5)Footrace. The winner will receive a medal and 100 gold.


*Oleg Highstreet, a herbalist and hedge wizard, is said to be offering potions for trade in exchange for flowers from the golddark shrubs, a rare plant found in the mountains to the north of Threshold.

*A traveling tinker claims to have discovered a magic spring to the south. When drunk, it's waters increase the strength of the imbiber for a short while. He offers to draw a map to the spring for 100 gold.

*There are rumors of an ancient barrow discovered on an island in the middle of Lake Windrush.

*Gan the Unknown, the Vagabond Mage, was reportedly ambushed and killed by gnolls in the western hills. His spellbook is rumored to have been with him at the time of his death.

*A wizard name Myraal -- the local Guild mage, in fact -- has made it be known that he is seeking certain "body parts" from slain monsters for his experiments. He is know to pay handsomely for such trophies.
"I am interested in abberrations, in the blending and melding of creatures that should not be. The owlbear, for one. The chimera, for another. And some more mundane, less dangerous creatures as well: carrion crawlers, rust monsters, and the like. I seek either parts -- such as a crawler's tentacles -- or live specimens, and will recompense accordingly."
"I would surely pay for any ancient artifacts, pre-Halav, of course, or maps of an underground network, or other such snippets and trinkets."


*One of the roads north out of Threshold has become increasingly dangerous now that a bandit known as Crissos the Black and his crew of thugs have begun to prey upon unsuspecting travelers. There is a 500 gold piece reward for his capture, as well as a share on the value of all returned goods.

*Monastery near the village of Guido's Fort has been corrupted to "the worship of fell Immortals and practicing blasphemous rites".  Arcturis' mystic henchman Po, who's family once ran the monastery, would someday like to reclaim it.
"My ancestors founded an abbey outside what is now the small village of Guido's Fort. For many generations they trained young men and women the art of self-discipline and quiet contemplation. Then, three generations ago, a corrupt monk led a revolt that resulted in the exile of my forebears -- the monks of the monastery began worshiping fell Immortals and practicing blasphemous rites. We moved away, so as to confuse the assassins the monks sent, but kept up the family practice in the secret arts of self-defense. One day I hope to return to reclaim what my mother's people started, and turn the abbey once more to a source of good in the world."

*A popular local cleric named Aleena has gone missing. Rumor has it she was exploring some caves to the west of town and never returned. The church of Karameikos is offering a handsome reward for her return or the return of her body.

*A savage beast has been terrorizing the woods and hills around Threshold, killing or maiming several farmers and shephards. No one can quite agree as to what manner of beast it is -- bear, boar, wolf or something else entirely -- but all concur it is a threat that needs to be ended. The Patriarch of Threshold has offered to gift whomever slays the beast with a puissant sword of magical powers.