Small, Leshy, Wizard
Caligo’s Arrival in Otari
After years of honing his magical abilities at the capital, Caligo has become deeply attuned to the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms. Having successfully lifted the curse on his village and restored their ancient ability to navigate between realms, Caligo continued his journey of mastering the School of the Boundary, constantly exploring the thin veil between worlds. His abilities have grown to the point where, during moments of deep focus, he can sense disturbances in the fabric of the spiritual world, particularly dark or twisted forces.
Recently, while practicing his magic and expanding his connection to these boundaries, Caligo felt a strange, unnatural ripple in the fabric of the spirit world—something foul, undead, and powerful, as if it were rising from deep below the earth. Drawn to the source of this disturbance, he concentrated on the sensation, trying to trace it back to its origin. The ripple led him to the town of Otari, a place that he knew little about, but whose underground seemed to harbour this rising energy.
The Pull to the Tunnels
Following the disturbance, Caligo felt compelled to explore the area. Unbeknownst to him, the source of the dark magic is located deep beneath Otari’s fishery, in the maze of tunnels that run underneath the town. These tunnels, once used for smuggling and secret meetings, have long been forgotten by most of the townsfolk. However, they hold ancient secrets, including a tomb where long-dead spirits have been disturbed and now walk again as undead. After feeling the surge of dark magic rising from the depths beneath Otari, Caligo meditated deeply, focusing on his connection to the spiritual realms. In his efforts to trace the source of the disturbance, his powers—unpredictable as they sometimes are—surged unexpectedly, causing him to be transported away from the surface and into an underground storage room beneath the Otari Fishery. The room was once used by smugglers, who stored their illicit goods in these hidden chambers, but it has been forgotten for years. The sturdy iron gate, rusted but still holding fast, bars any easy escape.
Locked in the Storeroom
When Caligo arrived in the storage room, he found himself trapped. The large iron gate that blocks the entrance is locked tight, and despite his magical prowess, he lacks the brute strength needed to force it open. To make matters worse, a group of Kobolds has been trying to break into the room from the other side for days. Fortunately for Caligo, the Kobolds are still unaware of his presence, focused instead on trying to crack the old gate. As the Kobolds chip away at the gate, Caligo remains hidden in the shadows of the storage room, biding his time and observing their efforts. Although he could likely deal with the Kobolds himself, he is cautious. These tunnels are unfamiliar, and he knows that the disturbance in the spiritual realm that drew him here is far more dangerous than a group of bumbling Kobolds. He weighs his options—should he try to escape now, or wait for a better opportunity?
Unbeknownst to Caligo, his salvation is on the way. Glock, Radagast, Jhaan, and Machival, following their investigation into the missing supplies at the fishery, stumble upon the old tunnels and eventually come across the same storage room. Upon seeing the Kobolds attempting to break into the gate, the seasoned investigators waste no time. A swift battle ensues, and the Kobolds are dispatched with relative ease, their crude tools no match for the skill of the group. As the dust settles, the group, having exerted themselves, decides to take a brief rest inside the storage room, now secured by the iron gate they have unlocked. They make camp, unaware that they are being watched from the shadows.
Caligo, still hidden, watches the adventurers closely. He is intrigued by their abilities and their swift dispatch of the Kobolds, but remains cautious. After all, he knows nothing of their motives or intentions, and his experiences as a leshy—having learned to trust sparingly, especially in a world where even spirits can become hostile—makes him wary of strangers. However, as the group settles in for a rest, Caligo’s curiosity begins to outweigh his fear. These adventurers seem capable, perhaps even powerful enough to help him with the growing threat he sensed, or at least help him escape from these tunnels. He decides to wait until they wake, planning to reveal himself once they are conscious and prepared for his presence. For now, he stays quiet, listening to their conversations and observing how they interact with one another.