Pius of Grizz

> I dedicated myself to the Faith. I rose from nothing.
>
> Pius of Grizz

**Pius of Grizz** is the fifteenth bear the player meets after arriving on Cozy Grove Island. He is a Ruins Spirit, referred to as the High Priest.

Pius' living area is located northwest of Bruin's and east of Ursula's areas.

## Appearance

Pius is a pale blue bear wearing a high priest sash. His head is covered with a high priest headscarf that resembles a fountain pen nib, complete with black ink on the tip. Like Bearos the Third, Pius has no visible legs.

The following landmarks are located in Pius' area: the large altar with stained glass, a bulky antique desk and a small desk, chapel windows, candelabras, stone shrines and other ruins.

## Biography

Pius is an old, old soul who is very faithful to his religion and leader, the Emperor. He was brought up to worship and spread the good word of this leader and that is exactly what he did and does even after death.

## List of quests

Every day, Pius of Grizz has a chance to give the player a quest, provided he has no quest active. The quest can be started by speaking to Pius of Grizz.

If Pius of Grizz is ghostly blue and his area is not colored, he will give the player a story quest. If Pius of Grizz is colored but his area is not, he will give the player a daily quest. If both Pius of Grizz and his area are colored, he will not give any quests, but the player can still converse with him to listen to some gossip or occasionally advance his story.

Story quests are untimed and advance Pius of Grizz's story, allowing the player to learn more about him, fill his heart meter, and restore his memories. Some story quests require the player to collect a lot of resources or help other bears to get quest items. The story quests often give spirit logs as rewards.

Non-story quests have a time limit, do not provide any story development, and give random rewards. There are no penalties for letting a timed quest expire.

Some quests require the player to find items hidden on the island. The hidden objects spawn after the player accepts the quest, with hints on their location provided in the quest menu. If the player has trouble locating the item, they can get a hint from Charlotte Pine for 100.

### Daily quests

Every daily quest has a chance to give the player a spirit wood or a crafting recipe for a random decoration in addition to regular reward.

## Chat

Every day, when Pius of Grizz has no quest active, the player can chat with him for some random gossip. Pius of Grizz can give the player advice or tell a little about himself or other bears.

Chatting with Pius of Grizz does not advance his story.

After the player chats with Pius of Grizz once, they can ask him for a hug.

### Before completing *Giving back*

**Pius of Grizz:** May the Great Spirits bless you, child.
The one called Bruin of Tram approached me recently, to ask how I aided His Majesty in achieving eternal life.
A wise question, for life eternal is found only in our church's sacred teachings. Yet when I offered to instruct him in these matters, he refused!
*'But what about the zombies?'* he kept shouting. *'Are you a Reptilian hybrid? What's under your hat?!'*
I suspect he suffers some malady or imbalance of his body's humors, the poor soul. Have you tried leaches?
**Pius of Grizz:** Are you acquainted with the sculptor, Francesca of Claw? It seems that she is quite a reader.
It warms this old priest's heart to know that literacy, once a rare gift, is now within reach of the common bear. However...
I cannot abide this so-called *'literature'* she favors. There is no mention of the Great Spirits anywhere!
**Pius of Grizz:** While the Emperor is the only one who may speak directly with the Great Ancestors, it is His priests who interpret their divine wisdom.
After all, the Emperor cannot be expected to keep up with the latest church doctrines and edicts.
Why, once he declared the Great Ancestors wanted to see the palace walls done in *puce*, when that color has been banned for centuries!
### After completing *Giving back*

**Pius of Grizz:** Go in peace, my child.
**Pius of Grizz:** Francesca of Claw has graciously allowed me to read some of the *secular literature* she so treasures.
I was surprised to find that such a text, written without the guidance of the Great Spirits, could possess so much wisdom!
However, I must confess some of these modern references confuse me. How did that poor man Gregor become a cockroach to begin with?
**Pius of Grizz:** I feared that by abandoning the church's strictures I was also abandoning my faith. But now I feel closer to the Great Spirits than ever.
I feel it in the air and water; the susurration of leaves; the giggles of imps in their mischief.
Perhaps the Holy Word is not contained on any parchment or scroll, but in the beauty of creation all around us.
**Pius of Grizz:** Divine or not, I will always hold His Majesty in high regard.
It is not a matter of piety. I have known the Emperor since he was a child. In many ways, he is like a son to me.
...Having said that, I feel I must apologize for his behavior. Clearly, child-rearing is not for the faint of heart.
## Daily quest lines

### Ancient symbols

Start:

**Pius of Grizz:** The history of this island goes much deeper than you might think, child.�рWBring me these modest few materials, and I shall invoke the spirit of a long-lost bear!
**Pius of Grizz:** Many spirits linger as traces on this island, too weak to manifest on their own.�р>Yet with a few supplies, I may call one of them forth for you!
End:

**Pius of Grizz:** Yes. These shall do nicely. Let us commence the ritual!
*Humble spirit, rise from thy hidden depths and speak once more!*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Pirate Bear**!
*Between bouts of plunder, she would sail her ship to a secret lagoon in 'Cozy Cove'...
...and find a spot to hide her treasure. A spot no longer hidden from me!*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... an **Alpha Bear**!
*Foremost among his kind, a scholar of languages uncountable.
He came to Cozy Grove to settle an important matter: Is it spelled 'cozy' or 'cosy'?*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Viking Bear**!
*From the northern seas he ventured, seeking plunder and new lands.
Lief Bearickson was his name, the first visitor upon these shores...
...except for the people who were already here when he arrived.*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a horrible **Zombie Bear**!
*Inexorably it shambles forward, craving bear-flesh eternal!
What unholy plague could have wrought such a creature?!*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Goldilocks Bear**!
*A precocious girl, who never learned the meaning of trespassing
Countless lands she visited, until at last she found one that was 'just right.'*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Slasher Bear**!
*An undying monstrosity behind a pale mask, he slew without prejudice or remorse.
Whyfore did he rise from his watery grave, and who let him have a machete?*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Saintly Bear**!
*A beloved healer, who shared her compassion and grace with all whom she met.
In the island's darkest hour she came to its aid, feeding the many and curing all ills.*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Yeti Bear**!
*Long ago when half the world lay in ice, it stalked these lands as king.
There are some who say it lives with us still. Especially in the Pacific Northwest.*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... a **Ninja Bear**!
*A silent assassin, she lay in wait in darkest woods and set deadly traps against her foes.
Many a wealthy shogun fell to her poison darts. Even more lost their heads to her blade.*
**Pius of Grizz:** I see... an **Alien Bear**!
*From beyond the stars it arrived upon our shore, sharing its vast knowledge.
There are those who say even the ancient pyramids were built by such unearthly creatures...
...Those people are racists.*
**Pius of Grizz:** Well! That was enlightening. Mayhaps we shall invoke the ancient spirits again another day?
### Pigment and wood

Start:

**Pius of Grizz:** All must hear of the great deeds of His Highness!
Bring me supplies for ink and parchment, so I may serve as his herald!
**Pius of Grizz:** The people of this new age know little of the Emperor's greatness!
With the right materials, I may spread the church's message far and wide!
End:

**Pius of Grizz:** Wonderful! Soon this island shall be *covered* in colorful advertisements!
**Pius of Grizz:** Splendid! With this, all shall know the name Bearos III!
### Trash

Start:

**Pius of Grizz:** 'Cleanliness is next to godliness.' Yet this island lies covered in trash!
**Pius of Grizz:** Who would so pollute the natural beauty of this island? Something must be done!
End:

**Pius of Grizz:** Thank you, my child! The island's sacred beauty is restored.
**Pius of Grizz:** My humblest thanks to you, young one.
## Mementos

Spoiler alertThis article or section contains **spoilers**. Proceed with caution!
1. *Pius of Grizz, the High Priest Bear, has awakened after centuries of slumber. Could he unveil the final secrets of the island's history?*
2. *Pius was an orphaned cub taken in by the Emperor's church, where he was taught the tenets of his faith - as well as reading and writing.*
3. *His favorite duty as priest was holding sermons with the common folk. But the revolution destroyed the church, and his altar.*
4. *As a deacon, Pius discovered the politics of the priesthood, and had to decide between his career and helping the people under his care.*
5. *Pius has somehow roped you into helping him bribe the Mayor. What have you gotten yourself into?*
6. *When the revolution came, Pius retreated to the high tower of his church. But the mob found him soon enough...*
7. *Pius has been having a crisis of faith ever since recalling his death. With your kindness, perhaps he will find a way forward.*
8. *With your help, Pius has finally started to recall the good aspects of his faith. He remembers the true purpose of a priest: to help his fellow creatures.*

Comic attached to the second memento.The comic attached to the fourth memento.The comic attached to the sixth memento.
## Story quests expanded

### Symbol dust

Pius asks the player to find ancient symbols and turn them to dust.

**Pius:** Hmm? Is this a pilgrim to our holy lands?
Your attire is strange, young pilgrim! Tell me, from where do you hail?
**Scout:** Uh, the mainland? / Here, I guess. / The Meat Dimension.
**Pius:** I see! Much time has passed since I laid eyes on the living world.
Our once-great empire now lies rendered into rubble.
Have you by chance come across any remnants of our empire's divine masonry?
**Scout:** You mean those **Ancient Symbol** things? / Doesn't ring a bell.
**Pius:** Perhaps they have been scattered far and wide.
Though you are yet a stranger to me, I must beseech you...
The energies of these sacred stones must be released.
Please, find them, render them to dust, and bring me proof of your deeds.
Symbol dust is crafted during one of Bruin Tram's quests. Once the player brings it to Pius, they are rewarded with a spirit wood and unlocks Pius' first memory.

**Pius:** Ahh yes. I can sense the slow alignment of the heavens.
You have done well, young pilgrim! You have my gratitude.
With the balance restored, soon **He** will return...!
**Scout:** Who is 'He'?
**Pius:** Why, none but the Living Vessel, the **Emperor** Himself!
**Scout:** What have I done now?
**Pius:** A great deed, young pilgrim!
Thanks to you, the Emperor Himself shall return!
**Pius:** *The Unending, the God Made Flesh, the Embodiment of Wisdom!*
*Pray you show Him reverence! Eternal torment awaits the impious.*
### The acolyte

Pius tells the player about his past and asks the player to clean up the island.

**Pius:** Well met, young pilgrim! Have you come to learn more about our Emperor?
You must understand that He is central to our faith!
His Highness communicates directly with the Hallowed Spirits.
Through Him, we receive their wisdom.
Ah. Once I was like you, pilgrim. A young foundling, abandoned by my earthly kin.
**Scout:** I wouldn't say I was ABANDONED--
**Pius:** I was left at the steps of a monastery. Its monks raised me.
Under their tutelage, I learned the sacred pillars of our faith...
Chief among which was *Community Service*! The key to enlightenment.
Do you wish to be enlightened, pilgrim?
I have seen **such waste** strewn around this island.
Rectify this, and your path to enlightenment will become clearer.
Five pieces of trash can be found scattered across the island. Once the player collects them and brings them to Pius, he rewards them with a spirit wood and an acolyte robe.

**Pius:** You have performed excellently, young pilgrim!
You are now ready to join our humble faith.
**Scout:** I dunno... Sounds cult-y.
**Pius:** All will be revealed to you, pilgrim! Have faith.
**Scout:** Sure, I guess?
**Pius:** Take this, with my blessing. Henceforth, you are an acolyte of the Emperor's church!
This quest also unlocks the second Pius' memory.

### The first lesson

Pius tells the player about the first pillar of his faith and asks them to bring him some food.

**Pius:** Today, acolyte, I shall teach you the first pillar of our faith: **Charity**.
*Just as the Emperor sacrifices His own will to be the Living Vessel...*
*...so too must we sacrifice to aid the humblest among us.*
Many creatures of this island are *crying out* for sustenance.
Gather **food** so that we may help these desperate souls!
Pius requests six uncommon fish, three mushroom loaves, and three bagels. Once the player brings the food to Pius, he rewards them with a spirit wood and a monk cowl.

**Pius:** Excellent. These gifts shall aid our needy neighbors.
...I will take a portion for myself. For *ecclesiastic reasons*.
To provide for others, we must first provide for ourselves!
**Scout:** Seems legit. / But **I** provided all of it...
**Pius:** Quoth Empress Ursinia IX, *'To the faithful go the bounties of the earth.'*
Now, then. I shall see to distributing the rest of this to our starveling flock.
Birds make for bad parishioners, but we shall not judge.
You have proven yourself worthy, young acolyte!
I grant you the cowl of our monastic order. Wear it with pride.
### An altar

Pius asks the player to make him a grand altar so he can resume preaching.

**Pius:** Young monk, I wish to resume preaching to the masses.
Long ago, I delivered my sermons before a holy altar of great beauty.
It was an inspiring artifact. Sadly, that altar was... destroyed.
A vicious mob tore it to pieces. The memory pains me; I will not speak of it more.
You appear to be the crafty sort. Good with your hands.
If I provide instructions, will you help me create a new altar befitting the Faith?
Pius gives the player the crafting recipe for the altar. After crafting the altar at Jeremy Gruffle and placing it, the player can talk to Pius to complete the quest.

**Pius:** Well done, acolyte! This altar is a work of beauty.
*On darkest nights, our faithful gathered at this sacred altar.*
*We feasted, and gave thanks to the Great Spirits.*
*Clergy and laymen, prince and pauper, all united as one.*
Ah... to share devotion, to be of one mind and one spirit, in brotherhood...
Thank you, young believer, for reminding me of this feeling.
The player is rewarded with a spirit wood and unlocks Pius' third memory.

### Pius' scrolls

Pius is missing several scrolls and wants the player to find them.

**Pius:** It is good that you have come, young acolyte.
As High Priest, I am charged with overseeing all official records.
However, I am missing several **scrolls**.
These hold our most sacred history! They must be retrieved.
Three scrolls can be found scattered across the island. Once the player collects the scrolls and brings them to Pius, he rewards them with a spirit wood and shares his fourth memory with them.

**Pius:** Well done! This should be the last of them.
I see... these must be the Manifold Exclamations of Saint Arkouda.
She claimed that *anyone* can commune with spirits, not just the Emperor.
For that, she was nearly beheaded! Thankfully, she recanted her heresies.
...Although I suppose she was correct, in the end.
Alas, the history of our church contains many contradictions.
Take, for instance, the second pillar of our faith: **Temperance**.
Excess is considered disgraceful, yet it was common among the clergy.
Still. Did not Justinia the Hairy stand by as her followers supped the Wine of Ages?
**Scout:** Uhh... yes?
**Pius:** Correct, young acolyte!
**Scout:** I have no idea what that means.
**Pius:** Then you must learn!
**Scout:** How was she 'the Hairy' if you're all bears?
**Pius:** Oh, Justinia was very, very, very, **very** hairy.
**Pius:** Justinia led her followers to this very island, long ago.
Here, they found grapes, and crushed them into wine. But Justinia did not partake...
...in case anyone needed help getting home safely later that evening.
Her temperance was a lesson to us all. But we have not always heeded it.
### Gold ingots

Pius asks for the player's help in bribing the Mayor.

**Pius:** Young deacon, not everyone is receptive to the Faith. Like that 'Mayor.'
She has insisted that I refrain from proselytizing outside so-called *'government buildings.'*
I humbly explained that His Highness *is* the government, to no avail.
There were many such craven bureaucrats in my time. I know how to placate them.
With an adequate amount of **gold**, I am sure she will see reason.
Pius asks the player to bring him two gold ingots.

**Pius:** Well done, deacon. With this we can surely persuade that heretic 'Mayor.'
It is interesting. The priesthood *must* be above material wealth. And yet...
...Without such wealth, we would not succeed in spreading the *true faith*.
Thus, money is a vulgar language we must learn to speak fluently.
**Scout:** So we're bribing the Mayor now?
**Scout:** What if she doesn't accept?
**Pius:** I am certain she will, materialist that she is.
**Scout:** This feels kinda unethical.
**Pius:** This is a necessary evil, my child.
**Pius:** *Wealth is the weapon we wield against the nonbelievers.*
That is the lesson I came to learn as a priest, and so shall you, with time.
The player is rewarded with a spirit wood and a priest cassock and unlock Pius' fifth memory.

Several days later Pius names the player the Captain of Knights Templar and gives them a knight armor.

**Pius:** It troubles me that I have spent so much time exalting His Highness...
...and yet, no paradise awaited me after death. No grand feasts nor ambrosia.
Is it not written in our scriptures that *'eternal reward awaits the faithful'*?
I dedicated myself to the Faith. I rose from nothing.
Yet the filthy peasants came to resent me, saying I had abandoned them!
But it was not *I* who reveled in obscene wealth in life! It was His Highness!
...
I wonder. Did I somehow anger the Great Spirits?
No. I was faithful. Surely I was *cursed* by those wretched commoners.
Young one... you must protect His Highness if they rise up again.
I hereby name you our new *Captain of the Knights Templar*.
Normally this is a process that requires *years* of service to the church.
But our need is great, and time is short!
A few days later Pius continues his story.

**Pius:** I sense you are troubled by something, young knight.
Could it be that you doubt my persecution by the peasantry?
Rest assured, they assaulted the palace with torches and pitchforks.
They overran our guard and stormed His Majesty's sacred chambers.
I retreated to the high tower, helpless but to watch our great city fall.
Do you wish to know what became of me after that?
**Scout:** Yes, please tell me.
**Pius:** Trapped in that tower, I had no escape from the mob.
*They did not even try to break my barricades...*
*...they simply took to the masonry itself, attacking the tower's foundation.*
*A tower that had stood for centuries was brought low in a single evening.*
*And I, His Majesty's most loyal servant... fell with it.*
**Scout:** No, I'd rather not.
**Pius:** I do not blame you. It is a grim tale indeed.
**Pius:** That viper Dalia will try to claim that her 'revolution' and my death was justified.
*But can such carnage ever be just?* I do not believe so.
Mind that you stay vigilant around her, young knight.
Pius gives the player a knight helm. This conversation also unlocks Pius' sixth memory.

### A horn of plenty

Pius is penitent and asks the player to hit him with a whip to purge him from sin. The player refuses.

**Pius:** Ah, young knight. It is good you have returned to me.
I have been dwelling on my demise. And on my inability to accept responsiblity for it.
I require your aid again. Please, take this whip.
I wish to purge myself of sin. To focus my mind with penance.
I attempted self-flagellation, but my hands will not grasp the whip's handle.
**Scout:** Don't be so hard on yourself. / Sorry, I'm a pacifist. / What's the point in whipping an incorporeal being?
**Pius:** You must attempt this for me. I deserve punishment!
I abandoned my flock. And now, the Great Spirits have abandoned me.
...
So. You cannot help me.
If you cannot assist with my penance, then leave me in peace.
The player is tasked to bring Pius a cornucopia. The cornucopia can be cooked by Allison Fisher. Once the player brings it to Pius, Pius is surprised and gives the player a spirit wood and two gold ingots back.

**Pius:** You... you brought me a cornucopia, a horn of plenty?
These once graced the tables of our banquets, a symbol of the earth's gifts.
I do not deserve such a gift.
Here. Please take the gold you gathered earlier. I did not use it.
As with so many other things, I misjudged the Mayor.
She said I may preach freely in the town park, and even gave me a box to stand on.
Completing this quest unlocks Pius' seventh memory.

### The candles

Pius wants the player to place some candles on the island.

**Pius:** I have been thinking of the cornucopia you brought me, young knight.
Long ago, such things were a symbol of the church's wealth.
Most commoners saw such cornucopias only on our holiest feast days.
I would lead an invocation before a great flaming candle...
Then I would bless the food, and all bears would partake of it.
I wish to relight the candles, young knight. To share their blessings selflessly.
Pius gives the player three giant bear candles. Once the player places all candles, they can talk to Pius to complete the quest and receive a spirit wood as a reward.

**Pius:** You've restored the last of the great candles! Praise the Spirits!
Perhaps this will bring some joy to all the lost souls on this island.
This is... good. This honors the most sacred pillar of our faith: **Community**.
To break bread with one's neighbors, to share in their pain and their triumphs...
...Is that not the true calling of any priest?
Thank you for helping me to remember, little knight.
### Giving back

Pius wants to distribute some food to the community and asks the player to take part.

**Pius:** I continue to reflect on my past misdeeds, young knight.
My people suffered while I vied for status and wealth.
I contorted scripture to rationalize my actions. It required surprisingly little effort.
I forgot the importance of **charity, temperance and community**.
But I forget no longer! I will resume my role as a true believer in the Faith.
Not as a politician advising an Emperor, but as a guiding light for the lost.
Today, I begin anew by distributing food to the hungry.
**Scout:** Sounds good!
**Scout:** Will you skim off the top again?
**Pius:** I will keep nothing. All will be distributed.
**Pius:** Please help me **share** this bounty with those in need, young knight.
Pius asks for ten pretzel buns and ten savory bread. Once the player brings the food to Pius, Pius rewards them with a spirit wood and a holy pomegranate that can be sold to any shop for 100,000.

**Pius:** Wonderfully done, little knight!
Is the act of giving not the greatest sustenance of all?
**Scout:** Yeah, that felt good!
**Scout:** I prefer actual sustenance.
**Pius:** Sustenance for the soul is as important as it is for the body.
**Pius:** My dear knight, I believe the church's wealth would be better spent in other hands.
You have proven yourself worthy. Behold: **The Holy Pomegranate of Arkouda!**
Its seeds are said to grant divine wisdom. Please, take it.
I might advise against eating it, however. It *is* more than 1,500 years old.
The next day Pius is ready to move on.

**Pius:** Young knight, I am delighted to see you! Listen: I have had a breakthrough.
I still cannot forget what Dalia's people did to His Majesty and to our empire.
However, we the clergy had long since abandoned the commoners. That much is plain.
And in truth, I abandoned His Majesty as well.
Perhaps I could have led Him to safety that night, rather than hide in my tower.
Whatever the case, my past misdeeds cannot be undone, nor His, nor Dalia's.
We can only learn from them, and through our actions make amends.
As Datvi the Second-Eldest once said, *'Quoting scripture does not put bread on tables.'*
And as Datvi also once said, *'to err is ursine.'*
**Scout:** Are all these quotes even real?
**Pius:** As real as any words committed to parchment by mortal hands!
You must pursue your scholarly pursuits with more vigor, young one.
Here. I give to you this gift of Faith. May you read it and be blessed my young... friend.
Pius gifts the player the eternal tome and his last spirit wood and then ascends and turns golden. Once Pius ascends, his area will stay permanently lit and colored and he will no longer give the player story quests; however, Pius will still occasionally give the player daily quests.

## Version history

* 3.1.0: Bears will now only have one piece of gossip per day.
* 2.0.0: Added the option to hug Pius of Grizz after chatting with him twice.