Colson Maldris |
Arodus, 4714
Author of Independence,
To date, we have played an instrumental role in the arrest of five corrupt politicians who have wielded their influence like power-mad aristocrats. It is reassuring that Andoran's legal system has so readily recognized the guilt of these villains, though so many seem content to congratulate each other on a job well done and declare a happy ending. They cannot see that the corruption runs deeper, and we must pull it out by the roots to prevent it from growing back. For every person we manage to convict, there are 10 more that I am watching with suspicion. No doubt many are innocent—I pray that is the case—but the allure of bribes and cronyism is powerful.
The greatest difficulty is that our investigations are all subject to state oversight. This and public accountability are important prerequisites for a healthy democracy, yet in the past several months it has also served to alert those in power that they were being investigated. Some of our best evidence has been reduced to ash when the authors learned I was on their trail. Democracy protects us all, but the tools also protect those who would pervert it into tyranny. What is one to do when the only way to fight corruption is to defy one of democracy's core tenets?
I have spoken with my superiors in the Eagle Knights, and they understand my consternation; however it is not the role of a Steel Falcon to police his government's actions, for my order operates abroad to vanquish slavery and tyrants. My commanding officer recommended I turn my gaze to other lands while she performs her own investigations. I have honored her request but also taken a leave of absence to pursue justice without a national affiliation. My ties to Andoran only hamper what I can do to liberate my home and other lands, even though we still work closely with the Eagle Knights. The lessons we learn in the near future may provide us the key to ridding Andoran of corruption once and for all.
Freer than ever before,
Major Colson Maldris
The Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign begins the Year of the Sky Key, its sixth season of Pathfinder RPG adventures. Keep the words of Major Maldris in mind, and be on the lookout for opportunities to help the new Liberty's Edge faction succeed in its objectives. When the time comes, endeavor to participate in Pathfinder Society Scenario #6-05: Slave Ships of Absalom.
Martin Kauffman 530 |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sadly, the Andoran faction is slowly succumbing to a mixture of political correctness and multinationalism. Be proud, Andorans, for we alone are the nation and the people who represent the ideal of freedom on Golarion. We are not the masters of trade, or the seekers of lost empires, or the dealers in slaves, or in league with dark powers. Andoran lives on; and it will be reported as such on all my character sheets.
Giltman Pennywhistle |
"I received your message just as I was about to enter a crypt in which we are tasked to find something called the 'everflame', and felt it necessary to send you a reply before entering the crypt... My own ties to Andoran are weaker than my convictions to spread freedom to all nations, so I am proud to become part of your new organization. May the luck of Nivi Rhombodazzle find its way to you and the other members of our new order!"
Augustine Jaeger |
While I have sworn my loyalty to the Silver Crusade (who do not appreciate my methods, but desperately need someone to keep all the shiny paladins from walking into traps) I have had the misfortune of encountering some of the corrupt nobility that you speak of. We may well have common cause in the future, for I dearly love to see the long arm of justice catch up with those who think they are "too big to fail".
Arbor 'Woodsy' Gottfried |
4 people marked this as a favorite. |
<strum>
In honor o' this here 'reconvening',
<strum>
I thought it right to play a song.
<strum>
So we all can keep in mind the meaning,
<strum>
Of why we first signed to belong.
This song I'm gonna play is to the tune of some old tune I heard, some twenny years back, went by the name of 'The Ghost of Tom Joad'.
Whoe'er old Tom was, he must of made quite the impression, since this has been played a lot, even by the young'uns, with their lightning-powered geetars, (which sound like a horde o' banshees to me, but you gotta love 'em for havin their hearts in the right place).
Anyway, those who know it, sing along, those who don't, try to flap your ears and not your mouth while it's playin' and you'll probly learn something.
Bellflower Road!
Men bein’ whipped along a beaten track
Road map carved in the scars on their backs
Foreman and his thugs watchin’ from the ridge
Cold gruel for a banquet under the bridge
New meat brought from over the border
“Welcome to the Hellknight Order”
Families missin' their kin, from East to West
For them, there is no peace, no rest
The highway is alive tonight
With tales and songs, from the ones we’re taking home.
I'm writin’ this song by the wayfinder light
Ridin' on the Bellflower Road
Garik tells me he came from Andoran
“I did honest work with these two hands.
I built the alms houses for the old folk in need.
The Thrunes made me build temples to their greed.”
“I was a nurse to their squalling brat.
Wiped their arses, when they were too fat.”
“I cooked for a man, of unnatural lust,
I left him a eunuch, in the dust.”
The highway is alive tonight
With people returnin’ to the places they need to go.
I’m sittin’ here in my covered hide,
Guardin' along the Bellflower Road
Now, before you call anyone ‘slip’, Mister, you best think.
Could I have ‘slipped’ a little somethin’ in your drink?
When you’re shaved, could a razor ‘slip’ from ear to ear?
Before you beat a child, better check if I’m near.
You can spend your life, in fear, lookin’ over your back,
Chained to your sins, on your own rack,
Or you can accept people’s right to be free,
Do the right thing… before you see me.
The horizon is a welcome sight
As we wave our new-found friends to their lands and homes.
I watch them a while in the pale moonlight,
Then set off back down Bellflower Road.
Norowareta Nagagorjo |
"I wasss glad to be of ssservicsse in helping to exsspossse one of thossse corrupt politiciansss, when I recssently visssited the nation of Andoran for the firssst time."
"After being releasssed from ssserving Amara Li and the Lantern Lodge, I ssswore my sssword for the caussse of freedom and liberty for all, and I am glad that Andoran mossstly upholdsss those princssiplesss, but my loyalty isssn't to the nation itssself. I am happy to be able to focusss more on ssspreading freedom throughout Golarian than dealing with corrupt politiciansss. I prefer to work with my sssword than my tongue, anyway, though I sssuppossse I am pretty good at talking to people."
'Blackjack' Jaques |
Comrade Maldris,
How soon can we expect to see the new charter for Liberty's Edge promulgated through to all of our brothers that we may continue the glorious peoples revolution in earnest? What new appointments or titles can we expect, and can we continue to rely on the Bellflower network should we fall or be captured?
I look forward to spreading our wisdom with the noble people of my homeland, Galt, and perhaps setting them on the righteous path from which they have deviated by taking things too far.
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité!
[TL;DR - We getting the new faction outlines and prestige boons soon?]
Galengol |
Sir, I understand you. Black ops are the order of the day. I'll be best employed here in the Steel Falcons, business as usual; but I will of course keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to purge the corruption that besets us from within.
Efrir ep Bered!
Knight-Captain Sir Galengol Greencloak
of the Andoran frigate Impartial
Jaleel Livianna |
Good news and bad. Good that we have put away a few corrupt politicians, bad that Major Colson Maldris has stepped down from his position as our representative. WHO will we be saddled with as his replacement? And what agenda will that replacement try to force upon us? Will we still be fighting for equality and liberty, or have the politicians we didn't catch managed to pool their rescources and put a crony in the good Major's place?
Liarra Truespell |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Major,
I joined your group not too long for the wrong reasons. A Trade-Prince's child right out of the halls of Magaambya, rebellious in that heady mix of worldly ignorance and book granted intelligence. I saw Andoran as a bright light highlighting the rot with my own family and country.
To discover, like you, that rot within Andoran, was indeed a shock. I helped in your investigations as I could, and took a strong active hand in the Societies' expedition in the Worldwound. I have truly learned much within the last years turning.
One thing I have learned is that vigilance is the price for freedom. I hope your crusade succeeds, but I fear that it is no longer mine. I will value my time in service to Andoran. It was heady and empowering as magic could never be, I learned a wisdom from the books of your land and have decided that it is time for me to build something similar among my own people.
The Exchange, while reducing their ties with Qadira, still has great influence within the satrapy. Perhaps it is time I return home and teach the lessons I learn in Almas. I will never regret my time in Andoran or the good I did in my youthful rebelliousness but now I must teach others the lessons of freedom that I learned. Qadira is changing, I can see and feel it, for me to guide it to a more democratic path will require working from in. Slow reforms, influence and connections thou family and associates.
I fear the easy battles are done and only the more difficult ones remain, for breaking the economy of slavery and undoing centuries of tradition most likely will take the rest of my life. But then, what better goal is there than saving ones people is there? Perhaps, a century hence Andoran will have a sister country?
Always vigilant,
Liarra Truespell,
Student of Magaambya, Knight-Captain of Andoran
MeadowLark |
Greetings Major Maldris
I come seeking admission to your....organisation. for a period of time I have been a loyal szcarni but now they sway and deviate from their path and I nolonger feel at peace in the new "exchange".
I have worked closely with the former Andoran faction in the past to achieve common interests. I now seek to formally ally myself with you.
Regards
Meadowlark.
Corvus Cailean |
Greetings Major Maldris
I come seeking admission to your....organisation. for a period of time I have been a loyal szcarni but now they sway and deviate from their path and I nolonger feel at peace in the new "exchange".
I have worked closely with the former Andoran faction in the past to achieve common interests. I now seek to formally ally myself with you.
Regards
Meadowlark.
You'll still get to pick locks and steal stuff, but now the pays lower since you have to let the stuff you're stealing walk off to start a new life.
MeadowLark |
You'll still get to pick locks and steal stuff, but now the pays lower since you have to let the stuff you're stealing walk off to start a new life.
You are certainly correct there. But while wealth is always nice, after awhile there is the need to fulfill the soul. In my deeds I have always helped and resisted slavery. So it was a natural progression to join the Liberties Edge.
My skills with locks, blade, and in the shadows is yous ifthey will be accepted.
Zach W. |
~Knight-Captain Liran Ver'Ha~
A disgruntled elven man garbed in striking red and gold dragon scale places an Andoran banner down on a table.
"I must apologize my friends, but I joined the Andoran nation to guard her people and interests. To find artifacts, relics and contacts to aid her through the Society at large. It seems simple human greed cannot be shunned though. I must allow this child nation to search into its own and find its problems. I fought for her freedom, I will not wet nurse a nation I thought had grown out of its diapers. There are too many dangers outside this nations borders that I feel deserve attention. The Silver Crusade has proven its steel with me and I will be taking my blade and abilities into their service. Fight tyranny well my brothers and sisters."
Erkos Ravenstorm |
"Now now, we're not all greedy." The tiefling flicks his tail slightly. "I'm more lustful than greedy." He grins slightly, and flicks his eyes over the elf. "But if that is your choice, it's always sad to see handsome fellows leave. If you wish to ever come and see me... you know where to find me." he winks.
Remus Thickfist |
An interesting shift in goals, but one no less noble!
I may have begun my fight for freedom late, but I shall continue the fight just as willingly. I may not exactly be one for politics (but that hasn't stopped me from taking advantage of my charming personality), bit I shall do my best to aid the new cause whilst ensuring our prior cause does not go forgotten. Freedom and justice for all!
The Goblin-Friend and Goblin-Foe,
Cavalier of the Paw,
Heir to the Thickfist family lands,
Remus Thickfist and his trusty mount and friend, Grolf the Wolf
Wei Ji the Learner |
...
It is not a life of comfort an ease, this ever-increasing expedition against the tyranny of the few against the many. Being freed by noble Andoran patriots a couple of years ago, I thought that perhaps finally my troubles were at an end, that I could relax, breathe easy, and not have to get out there and do something.
Then there was an expedition to a place I'd rather not disclose. It became clear there that there was far too much more work to be done, not only in Absalom, but also throughout the region.
You have my blades in gratitude. May freedom reign.
Wei Ji the Learner
Mariah annointed of Cayden |
My fellow sons and daughters of freedom are going to spend more time fighting the real evils in the world, and less time mucking about in petty politics?
I'll drink to that.
Even with Cayden's blessing, mounting a one-woman crusade is exhausting, it'll be good to have some help.
- Mariah Turner, Anointed of Cayden Cailean
G'darm Youn |
My fellow sons and daughters of freedom are going to spend more time fighting the real evils in the world, and less time mucking about in petty politics?
I'll drink to that.
Even with Cayden's blessing, mounting a one-woman crusade is exhausting, it'll be good to have some help.
- Mariah Turner, Anointed of Cayden Cailean
Why Mariah climb crusade? Need G'Darm give boostie?
Sauran Darvok |
I am sad to he'e that thei's so much corruption he'e, but I've witnessed it fi'sthand. What we really need to do is exile slavery in Absalom, and within the society.
I personally am looking fo' my family membe's who we'e taken when I was a boy. I found out recently that a fellow society membe' owns one of my cousins. This cannot be tolerated! If we a'e to represent freedom, we can't let the greate' society that we a'e apa't of keep slaves. What does that make us? Hippocrates, that's what! Illegilize slavery in Absalom!
Illegalize it!!!
Raises a blue and white banner and begins swaying his arms, calmly singing a song in halfling.