With a few tactful and eloquent words, Belroar and his companions diffused a potentially explosive situation between crusaders and a zealous ally to the battle, in the Confluence District!
Barham and company have uncovered some damning evidence about a Pathfinder Venture-Captain and his traitorous schemes, while in the Confluence District!
In the Battle District, Algar singlehandedly defeated a demon made of fiery pollution!
Tessara and her companions have assisted a Society leader in enacting a ritual in the Woundward district to help fend off the invaders!
In the Outer district, Talwin and his friends have fended off a deadly ooze their crusader allies were unprepared for.
Mrachni and her party have successfully defended an outpost in the Outer District!
Imperia and her brave companions have tracked down several squads of Pathfinders and gotten (most) of them to the front lines in the Outer District.
Venture Captain Jorsal himself rides by to deliver the news. Though the demons and their allies continue to attack within the city, the worst is over. The tide of demonic filth has reached an end!
Venture-Captain Jorsal approaches on horseback at a gallop, stopping mere feet away. The captain is visibly worn from the siege, but he still gives a quick smile and a polite bow of his head as he steadies his mount.
“We’ve contained the demons within the city, but a new threat comes from the northwest. What we thought was the main army is merely the advance unit of a larger force that’s now on our doorstep. There must be thousands of the vile creatures in the host, but worst of all, they have brought siege weapons to their aid."
“The dreaded kakuen-taka, the swarm siege towers of theAbyss, now march on Nerosyan. As you’ve already proven yourselves quite capable, I need you to make your way to the northwestern ramparts and aid in putting Nerosyan’s own siege weapons to use. The crusaders are sending most of their troops out to battle the demonic towers before they can damage the walls, so every boulder and ballista bolt we loose against this horde will be an invaluable boon for those taking the battle to the heart of this Abyssal cohort."
“I am sending our most experienced Pathfinders to engage the enemy commanders directly, and they will be relying on your support. Other agents will try to send you reinforcements, so stay alert.” With that, Jorsal steers his horse away and charges off to bring word to other Pathfinders in the city.
Arriving at breakneck speed, Venture-Captain Jorsal gives a quick nod as he brings his steed to a sudden halt. “The demonic threat within the walls is relatively contained,” he announces, “but we’ve received word of additional demonic reinforcements coming from the Worldwound. We need every able-bodied man and woman on the walls to repel this attack; however, word has reached me that several patrols of crusaders outside of Nerosyan are making their way back to the city. We need some of our more experienced agents outside the walls to defend the crusaders as they return."
“No doubt the demons plan to run down these reinforcements before they can get back within the safety of the walls. We need these crusaders to supplement our own number on the walls, and I can think of none better suited to aid them. Make with all haste to the Woundward gates!”
Mrachni and his courageous band have scored a hit against the demon siege machines, sending a ballista bolt into one of the behemoths!
Belroar and his brave band of Pathfinders have managed to once more strike a demon siege engine!
Terill's Pathfinder group fired a heavy balista shot into the demon horde!
Nicolae and company has dealt another blow to the demon siege machinery!
Seon'i and her pathfinder allies blast apart a siege tower!
Despite the demonic horde assaulting them, Tessara and her companions have protected the siege weapons long enough to fire a volley!
Barham and his band of brave Pathfinders put two more huge ballista missiles into the demons defenses!
Sigrun and her companions have struck down a demon infesting the flesh of an ally and protected the siege weapons long enough for another shot!
Pathfinder Rhyno prevented a savage beast from interfearing with the firing of a siege weapon. A giant arrow spears into demonic siege weaponry!
Nicolae and his band have scored another success against the demonic armies' siege machines!
Xantrian and Gregor have located and healed crusaders so they can get back to fighting the good fight!
Talwin and his friends have fended off yet more cultists, allowing the crusaders to further bombard the enemy!
Mrachni and his band deal another blow to the demonic armies!
Belroar and his company deal another blow to the demonic onslaught!
With so many of their siege weapons destroyed by the crusader's defenses, the demon army breaks and slowly withdraws. The battle is won, for now. The surviving crusaders cheer as they cut down the fleeing enemy and tend to their wounded.
The dust settles and surviving Pathfinders find their way back to the Starrise Citadel. Dozens lie wounded, some bearing injuries that may prove fatal. Smoke chokes the air as crusaders continue to douse still-burning buildings whose flames are now mercifully under control.
Venture-Captain Jorsal silently walks up and down the lines of Pathfinders. He rarely speaks, only giving an understanding nod or a comforting smile. The arrival of a squad of battered crusaders from the center of the city breaks the grim moment. At their head rides a stern woman bedecked in shining full plate engraved with intricate gold filigree. Her weapon is coated in what must be demonic ichor, and several of her helmet’s once beautiful blue plumes are charred. This can only be Queen Galfrey, crusader queen of Mendev and leader of Nerosyan.
She brings her entourage to a halt and addresses the assembled Pathfinders. “Words cannot express the gratitude of Mendev. What your Society has done here today goes well beyond what duty required. I have learned that this attack was just one of many in a coordinated assault against all of Mendev, and that our wardstones have failed us, disabled by some demonic treachery. Our city only stands thanks to the efforts of those such as yourselves. I have spoken with Venture Captain Jorsal, and Mendev shall do whatever it can to aid you in reaching the Sky Citadel of Jormurdun — so long as doing so does not interfere with the new war."
“Now, I must depart for the city of Kenabres to inspect the damage done there. Woefully, it did not have the benefit of the Pathfinder Society’s assistance when it was assaulted, and all reports indicate the city is now completely ruined.”
She pauses, worry visible on her face before concluding, “Thank you, all of you for your efforts here today.” Without another word, Queen Galfrey and her entourage turn and leave. The remaining Pathfinder survivors stand united, under the still-brilliant light of the Starrise Spire.
***
Unable to breach the walls of the city with the bulk of their primary army, the demons broke into a full retreat. The crusaders are ready to strike back against the demons in the days to come.