Pathfinder Society Quest: "The Urge to Evolve" [RPG]

NO SPOILERS

The Urge to Evolve is unique among Pathfinder Society Quests in that not only did it first appear in an issue of the magazine Kobold Quarterly (Issue # 23) but, unlike "Ambush in Absalom," it was not made available separately as a free PDF on the Paizo website (though its associated Chronicle sheet was).  Fortunately, the issue is still available on the KQ website for a $ 4.99 download--a bit pricey for a single one-hour quest, but the rest of the contents of the issue might be to your liking.

Anyway, The Urge to Evolve is a Tier 3-7 Quest that is worth no gold, xp, or fame (which is why it's not reportable, and conditions incurred aren't permanent) but it does have some (frankly minor) boons.  It plays very quickly, even for a Quest, as there's only the barest amount of role-playing and only a single location and combat encounter.  Set in Magnimar, it has a touch of Golarion flavour.
I ran it the other night at high subtier, and although I can't say it's really worth the extra effort needed to track it down, it's kinda fun for a PFS completist like me.

SPOILERS

The Quest begins with a very short briefing (and handout) from Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch.  The Lodge in Magnimar has received a series of messages recently sent via the whispering wind spell, and are apparently coming from a scholar of ancient Thassilon named Estani Sulemi.  Sulemi has been kidnapped, and says he's going to be sacrificed and consumed if not rescued quickly!  He's able to give his location as a warehouse in the Ordellia district of the city.

The PCs have no trouble finding the warehouse (represented naturally by Gamemastery Flip-Mat: Warehouse).  If they're particularly skillful, they might be able to get in quietly, but chances are they'll bust in and make a lot of noise, giving those inside a chance to prepare.  The kidnappers are a pack of bugbears (murderous goblinoids) led by Silvgadwer, a barghest (an extraplanar monster that grows more powerful the more it consumes sentient creatures!).  Silvagadwer is disguised as a normal goblin at first, which adds a nice twist when he finally transforms into his true form.  The choice of flip-mat makes the encounter more interesting, as the crates and the loft complicate the PCs' ability to navigate easily.  Barghests are actually pretty dangerous, with a lot of hit points, DR, and (most importantly) the ability to use charm and suggestion spells on weak-willed PCs.  Indeed, the only time things got really dicey for the PCs when I ran the Quest is when one of their own got charmed.

Once the kidnappers have been defeated, they can untie the bound and grateful Estani Sulemi.  The scenario ends with his gratitude.  In terms of boons, there's a choice: either the ability to roll twice and take the better versus a fear effect, or the aid of Estani in the form of a small bonus to a skill check while in Magnimar.  The first is far more likely to be of use than the second.

Anyway, that's The Urge to Evolve.  Don't expect much, and you won't be disappointed.