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"Indeed, I spoke in jest. We all know that outsiders would not be welcome in your realm unless matters were particularly dire, even those with elven heritage like myself. And of course, mattersare dire. The worldwound is a festering blight upon Golarion, and the recent receding of its defenses is most troubling. Any assistance that your forces can render will be welcome in the coming battles."
The general nods to the explanations as she waits for the missive to be read.
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Thunderhoof looks the missive over briefly before clearing his throat and reading in a strong resonant tone.
"Most Honorable General Tenasi, as you may have been informed, soon after making your acquaintance at the Midsummer Masquerade, I enjoyed the privilege of performing a
service to the Viridian Crown. Her Majesty’s generous tokens of appreciation included her counselors’ intimation that you might aid me in an urgent endeavor. When the demon horde breached the wardstones surrounding the Worldwound, the nations of the Inner Sea region responded with unprecedented unity. Both the Kyonin rangers and the Pathfinder Society have provided support to the latest Mendevian Crusade in an effort to halt the invasion and to repair the breach."
"The Worldwound horde is not, however, the only emerging concern. A long-lost dwarven Sky Citadel has recently reappeared. Within its ancient chambers lie millennia of previously unobtainable history. While the Pathfinder Society has already devised plans for a campaign to explore the Sky Citadel, the citadel remains within the region of the Worldwound. No warriors in Avistan can boast the experience of your rangers, who have fought with such valor against the demonic forces of the Witchbole."
"If you can spare but a score of these peerless fiend-slayers, your assistance would be long remembered not only by the Society but by one to whom Queen Telandia has favored with her gratitude. Hopeful of your assistance, I present the bearers of this message as capable Pathfinders and beseech you to aid their endeavor."
"Signed Count Varian Jeggare"
Tenasi frowns during the Thunderhoof's reading. "So you want me to forfeit what little defense I have to appease some spectacularly armed treasure hunters? Kyonin will not give up valuable troops for a secondary objective to a mission it has already supported—especially not when that objective is spearheaded by plunderers."
She doesn't think much of the Society as a whole and she doesn't want to send her best to aid people she doesn't even respect.
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Terrill's brow knits in concern at Tenasi's answer, and he replies, "Whatever your view of the Society and its exploratory tendencies, I understood that Queen Edasseril owed Varian Jeggare a favor, and the assistance of your rangers was to be the coin in which he is repaid. Is that not so? Is there some way we can persuade you to honor the Society's request?"
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”As a whole, our Society values the past for far more than its treasures and securing this fallen dwarven fortress may very well aid all of Golarion and this mission is about more than delving for forgotten treasures”, the hulking shoanti counters. You know firsthand the dangers the forces of the Worldwound present and you know that they will not be satisfied with Mendev and her neighbors. No, the demons and their allies are a threat to us all. If you didn’t believe that your rangers wouldn’t be on the front lines right now.”
Thunderhoof nods in support of Terrill's suggestion,
”Is there anything my companions and I can do to prove our valor?”
Tenasi sighs. “Fine. It seems news of the Wardstones’ failure reached the Witchbole as quickly as it did Iadara, and the demons have renewed their attacks with greater ferocity,” General Tenasi explains. “I recalled the Uprooters, but one group has not returned, has not responded, and by all evidence has been lost. I signed the order to discontinue attempts to locate them, for we do not have the resources to commit even a scout to the task. As a result, none of my battle plans account for these thirteen lost rangers or their commander Lanverel. Were you to find and rescue them, I would assign them to assist you in reaching the Sky Citadel—after ample recovery time, of course. That is all I can do.”
"Kyonin has many units that patrol its borders, and the Uprooters are several of the most daring groups. They willingly brave Tanglebriar when the elves must strike a target in enemy territory. We have their last known location, which was near Thorngate at a feature called Mount Armiya, a rocky hill on the border of Tanglebriar. It, like all aiudara in and near Tanglebriar, is shut down to avoid demon exploitation, but I shall have a wizard transport you to Mount Armiya. Any tracks the Uprooters made should originate from there, and any arrows fired could provide clues as to which direction the elves went."
"Yes."
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"To echo my compatriots, General, although you think ill of our Society, it would be wrong to think of this venture as plundering. Rather, we seek to save the lore of a fallen piece of history - a Sky citadel - from the hands of demons and their worshipers. I assure you our ultimate purpose is a noble one. While the battle of Kyonin against the tangible threat of the Tanglebriar is a very real one, our battle against the intangibles - loss of history and understanding of the past - is no less a vital cause."
Chjara will study her surroundings closely, and then turn to her companions.
"I believe I am ready to venture forth."
General Tenasi leads you to the resident wizard for transport. When you arrive, you find yourselves on the edge of Mount Armiya, a partially wooded hill with numerous rocky outcroppings, including one large stone spur that juts out from the hill to create a relatively flat surface. A shallow but swift-moving stream hugs the contour like a castle moat that separates the ascent from the twisted landscape that begins about 60 feet to the south. There, in a span of several dozen feet, the pristine wilderness transforms into Tanglebriar, a mass of pus-weeping trees, serrated bark, twisted nettles, and growling clouds of gnats.
As your party regains your senses, suddenly you all hear a terrific crashing of trees and looking up, see a colossal centipede with fiendish red eyes bearing in your direction!
As you are gathering yourself on the bank, you hear elven voices saying “Down the invaders” and “Another demon trick!”. There are six elves standing upon a rocky outcropping to the North of you.
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Chjara wave her rod of splendor in the direction of the Centipede, surrounding it in a giant tent filled with food to feed 100 people.
"Perhaps that will be enough food to keep it busy for a few moments?" she shrugs, not really believing her own words.
She turns in the direction of the elven voices and calls out.
(Elven)"Pardon me, are you referring to us? I assure you we are no demon trick. We are here as a rescue mission at the behest of General Tenasi. You must be Uprooters? We are from the Pathfinder Society. If you could train your bows on the centipede rather then us, it would greatly reduce our level of anxiety."
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Just before stepping through the gate, Terrill draws his sword and lays his hand on its blade. He mutters a few words and an intense look comes into his eyes, followed by a brief, pleased smile.
"We are no demon-trick" Terrill calls out in Elven, "we are demon slayers! I defended the Diamond City against the hordes from the Worldwound, and we have come to rescue you, at the request of General Tenasi." He then points out the elves to his companions, saying quietly, "I hope they make the right choice, I'd rather not fight them and this thing. Speaking of which..."
Terrill turns his attention to the massive centipede-fiend, trying to identify it and any weaknesses it might have.
Lini jerks awake from a quick doze atop her big snow leopard. "What it is, Friend-Friend?" she asks with a quiet yawn. "Oh... a giant bug. Dear me, dear me."
The cat gives a little shake of its head, causing the gnome to nod slowly. "I suppose you're right, it probably won't talk to us. Red eyes are usually bad. Well, let's see what we can do."
Raising one hand slowly, the gnome closes her eyes again and seems to relax. A moment later, however, the undergrowth begins writhing and squirming as it tries to grasp the giant centipede's many legs.
It is a Titan Centipede. You get 2 facts.
The giant bug is now stuck in the grass!
Thunderhoof readies a spell.
It can trample, it has a poisonous bite that does dex damage. It is mindless so it is immune to all mind affecting effects. It counts as vermin.
The Abadaran's words ring true with the elves and instead turn their bows on the giant bug!
The titan-pede breaks free of the grass.
It then attempts to move towards the party!
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Watching the titanic insect burst free from its bindings is answer enough and Thunderhoof is quick to mutter a spell bolstering his prowess.
***
Noting Terrill's move into position to engage the beast, Thunderhoof begins a thunderous wordless chant that shakes the forest canopy overhead. The song quickens the pulse, filling the hearts of those that accept it with courage, ferocity, and the strength of a bull. As he chants the big shoanti advances with his staff held tightly in both hands, prepared to assist the half-elf in melee.
+4 constitution (morale)
+2 will (morale)
-1 AC
No spellcasting
The benefits of raging grappler.
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Terrill feels Thunderhoof's song course through him, and accepts it with a rush of excitement and joy. "The Song of the Spheres lives in me! Guide my blade, Desana" he cries, striking twice at the massive creature and stepping quickly to one side. "By the way," he adds, "This giant vermin can trample you, as you might have guessed. It has a poisonous bite that takes away your agility and being mindless, it is immune to all mind-affecting effects."
Terril unleashes his goddess' fury on the creature, striking it with his first swing but his second bounces off the creature's very thick hide.
Lini sighs softly as the bug escapes the vines. "Go get him, Friend-Friend!" she whispers to the big cat beside her, tapping it with a wand. With a sniff of assent, the lean hunter charges into the fray!
Droogami slashes with claws and fangs, only missing with one claw.
Chjara hops backwards. Though it does not save her from the creature's wrath as it tramples her, Thunderhoof, Lini, and Droogami!
The elves fire again!
And Terril slays the beast before it can harm anyone at all.
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Terrill calls out to the elves, "There, told you! Would a demon trick have done that?" Noting the many arrows sticking out of the centipede, and the advice given earlier to use them to find the rangers, Terrill notes they are pointing at the very elves he's shouting at.
"So, are you in fact the Uprooters? Tenasi sent us to find you, if so. Is this all of you?"
"I apologize for the hostilities. A tired mind plays the best tricks. I am Cecilia, interim leader for the uprooters. Who are you that Tenasi would send to find us?" She says as they come down to greet the party.
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"I am Chjara; my companions names are Terrill, Thunderhoof and Lini - and her cat, I really can never remember the name of the thing. We are warriors and scholars traveling under the auspice of the Pathfinder Society. We have come to seek your aid as renown demon hunters. General Tenasi thought your force lost. Is this your entire group?" Chjara asks, tentatively.
Lini sighs deeply. "His name is Friend-friend! That's not so hard to remember, is it now?!"
Turning to the elves, she gives a little gnomish smile. "Oh, hello. It's very nice of you to be so close to here so that we don't have to look for you very long."