Pathfinder Society scholars recently learned of a previously undocumented Sky Citadel in what was once Sarkoris, the land now consumed by the Worldwound. Unable to push into the demon- infested wasteland by itself, the Society intends to recruit dwarven aid in this dangerous endeavor. In return for the opportunity to reclaim this lost stronghold, the dwarves are willing to provide military assistance and historical expertise. One week ago, Highhelm sent an entourage of diplomats and tacticians north toward Mendev to meet with Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury in order to discuss terms and develop a strategy. Upon reaching Xer in Razmiran, faith barges of the living god accosted the dwarves as the foreigners attempted to push upriver without docking. After the dwarves paid the proper tribute, the Razmiri acolytes, smelling a ripe target, demanded even more money. Insulted, the dwarves refused and fought their way past the faith barges, only to be captured a few hours later and imprisoned while they await interrogation and punishment. Jorsal commissioned sending magic to contact Rakuska Ingardam, the mission’s leader, when the envoys failed to show up in Mendev. Rakuska’s return message could only provide a rough estimate of where the dwarves might be held now before the spell’s word limit was reached.
Without the exact location of the captured envoys, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin has taken several precautions to ensure the debacle does not derail the Society’s entire operation in Mendev. First, he sent orders to several groups of Pathfinders around Lake Encarthan to investigate the dwarves’ disappearance and likely imprisonment in several locations that might fit Rakuska’s description. Second, he has arranged for another set of envoys to travel north, should the first group be confirmed lost. Among these new envoys is Temel Passad, who once opposed the Society tangentially but now seems to be maneuvering to secure a new ally.
