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Rain patters outside the windows of Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch’s study in Magnimar. Zarta Dralneen, leader of the Dark Archive, also waits nearby with a glass of red wine in her hand and a thoughtful look on her face. “Greetings, Pathfinders,” the venture-captain begins. “We have an important mission for you inside Cheliax. Several days ago, we received word that the Hellknights of the Order of the Gate issued a call for aid at the Menador Gap. Apparently Chelish forces are spread thin these days. Imagine their surprise when we volunteered to help.”
“As I’m sure you know,” Zarta cuts in, “the Society has enjoyed few opportunities to explore Cheliax since the shuttering of the Delvehaven lodge in Westcrown decades ago. Luckily, we still had a Pathfinder agent in the country, an eccentric man by the name of Olandil. He has been gathering and protecting Pathfinder Society records and creating a journal of historically valuable sites within Cheliax that remain unexplored. For years, an embargo trapped Olandil in the port town of Pezzack, but a group of your fellow agents recently arranged for his escape. As it happens, one of the sites in Olandil’s journal lies close to the Menador Gap. Called The Temple of the Sky, this site supposedly contains a host of magical pillars that hold ancient knowledge. I’m sure you’ll agree that such knowledge is best kept safe within the Dark Archives, which is why we would like you to obtain a transcription of each pillar.
“Equally important to recovering these tablets,” Zarta continues, “is your mission to aid the Hellknights in securing the Menador Mountains. The details are vague, but we are told that the diviners of their order determined that a chaotic catastrophe is brewing somewhere in the peaks, and we suspect orcs are involved. Pathfinders, myself included, have come into conflict with Hellknights in the past, but they are still useful allies who share a number of our goals. Helping eliminate the threat will strengthen our alliance and ensure Hellknight aid in the future.” The venture-captain adds, “I have arranged for a teleport spell to take you directly to the Hellknight expedition. Hellknights are not known for their patience. Please make your necessary preparations and return here as soon as possible.”
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Holman smiles a bit nervously, having actually quite a bit of relevant knowledge stirring around in his head. "Just be careful you don't think too loud while we're there; the Order of the Gate is more like to punish you for thinking of doing something than for actually doing it. Not that I have to tell you," he says, his grin slipping as he meets Hellion's gaze, "no offense."
"Ah, so anyway...the Menador Gap is the only passage between the Menador Mountains and the Ravounel Forest; Menador Keep is at its narrowest point, and the Chelish authorities feel the need to tax all traffic at exorbitant rates. Sure, they try to keep the passage safe, but it's not unheard of to hear about landslides, or some manticores, wyverns or...chimera? Chimeras? Chimerae? Well, whatever you call them...attacking travelers. Hardly seems worth it to pay, if you ask me..." He clears his throat, looks nervously at the others, then continues, "...which you didn't."
Having almost recounted all he can, he sees the end of this lengthy discussion nearing and brightens noticeably. "In any case, Severed Hand orcs have started to move south, causing some territorial disputes with the local strix population, but Chelish authorities won't interfere until trade is threatened. Big surprise, there..." His eyes roll a moment, before he remembers that a number of eyes are on him. His mouth closes audibly as he tries to make himself even smaller and less-seen than normal.
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The comely woman with the unearthly pale blue skin looks up and gives Holman a warm smile, in that way only someone from Irrisen truly can.
She wears finely cut clothing, elegant but functional, and in the reds and blacks of Cheliax, her cloak secured by a brooch pin bearing the insignia of an infernal eye looking out of swirling portal. She absentmindedly toys with a silver wayfinder bearing the image of a dragon.
"None taken. I don't disagree that some of my Order are very zealous in their ministrations of the teachings from The Measure and The Chain, and they may well seem a little harsh in their enthusiasm"
"I have travelled with Marra before" she gestures to the other halfling "and she can certainly attest that whilst I uphold the virtues of law and order, I also understand that the end purpose of law and order is for goodness and prosperity to thrive and for the common man to have both safety and security, and to have the chance to live a peaceful life".
"So what of Hellknights then?"
We Hellknights are members of knightly orders that value law above all else. Many of our citadels are in Cheliax. Whilst we look to Hell as an example of perfect order, contrary to rumour and false accusations, Hellknight orders are not inherently evil organizations"
She then goes on to explain further "Within an order, there is a strict hierarchy, with the lictor at the top and the trainees, known as armigers, at the bottom. Most of us simply use the title Hellknight, though our spell casting brothers and sisters instead use the title Signifer"
"Each order of Hellknights has its own focus, but we all follow a strict set of laws called 'The Measure' and a philosophy of merciless self-discipline called 'The Chain', which teaches the three virtues of order, discipline, and mercilessness"
"When it is determined we are set to join the ranks from Armiger to Hellknight, we must undergo many painful trials and defeat a devil in combat to earn a place within their order, so we do not enter the service lightly"
"My Order, The Order of the Gate, is the smallest of the major Hellknight orders, with only a few hundred members. We are the most magically inclined of all orders, and are best known our incisive divinations and hidden libraries of esoteric knowledge. We believe that true order can only be achieved when criminal impulses are detected and punished before they become criminal action, because few mortals have the strength to resist their own impulses. Our creed is simple - Judgment in the face of depravity."
"Our Order operates from its redoubt, Citadel Enferac in the western Menador Mountains. Our Signifers outnumber the rank and file Hellknights three to one. In addition, the Order of the Gate have no lictor, we are guided by the Vicarius Giordano Torchia instead".
"With our focus on the pursuit of knowledge from dealing with infernal servants in the worlds beyond, our crimson cloaked Signifers are seldom seen abroad in Cheliax and feared by even other orders of Hellknights"
"Ahh yes, our rank structure..." She moves a few items on the table to give a visual reference, "Armiger at the bottom, then our Hellknights and Signifiers, above that is the Maralictor officers, then Paralictor, following that we have the Master or Mistress of Blades - who is the field marshal and answers only to the lictor of the Hellknight order, and we have the Paravicar who is the leader of an order's signifers, equal in rank to a master or mistress of blades and answers only to the lictor of the Hellknight order, then lastly we have at the very top The Lictor - or Vicarius if he is risen of the signifers - is the general of a Hellknight order. The Order of the Gate is the only branch of the Hellknights led by a Vicarius"
She then considers Holmans news with a concerned frown.
"I am less concerned with taxes being levied by Cheliax, that is a civil matter for the House of Thrune, not the Hellknight Orders, and should they feel that laws have been broken flagrantly they may petition the local Order - but the business of the Orcs? Strix are not ones to take such matters lightly - no doubt things may get out of hand and decent and industrious merchants plying an honest trade will soon find disruption enough"
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"Mistress Dralneen, it was meeting you early in my career that served as an inspiration for me to give up my old ways and join the Order of the Gate - a decision I will never regret. Indeed even through your...troubles...I have done all I can to support your collections in the Archive and these tablets shall be no exception."
"I am delighted to have been called to this mission, and I hope I can act as a fitting envoy between both groups with whom I share kinship"
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Penelope looked around the room: a tiefling, handsome, though in a manner entirely different from her own looks, two halflings, graceful, shifty, and man clad in even more armor than herself. A well-balanced expedition for this purpose, she thought, these will not be pushed aside lightly.
Penelope Tyaden, third of her line, she speaks, with an unmistakably Taldan accent.
I cannot agree with you more, Lady Hellknight. Law and order are but tools to the greater good, and while but chaos awaits in their absence, law as a means by itself paves the path to corruption. Yet, it is the reputation of the Hellknight orders that I know to stamp out lawlessness with effect, and for that they have my respect. It will be an honor serving at your side. Pray tell me, how may we best assist the order in their endeavours?
Moreover, since one of our primary objectives is recovering the knowledge of the Temple of the Sky, what do we know of its history? Does the Hellknight order have any interest in the site?
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"I have been away from Citadel Enferac a while so have not been briefed on the most current situation - having most recently been involved with rooting out diabolic influences from a temple. If the Temple of the Sky is found to have links to a Demon cult then the Hellknights would take a keen interest, or should it be found to have connections to divination magic then I also assume the Signifiers would want to investigate - though if none of that is the case - we aren't historians"
"I too am keen to know if we have any knowledge of what the Hellknights may have communicated, it might assist me in helping set the circumstances for their success - we can be headstrong over the wrong issues from time to time"
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The small halfling not quite 3ft in height, gracefully bows to the group despite the mithral chain shirt and two small scimitars strapped cross-ways on her back as Svetlana greeted her by name
"Svetlana it has been too long since we ventured together. If your fellow hellknights of the gate are anything like you then we should all get along marvelously! You mentioned hidden libraries of esoteric knowledge? I wonder if there is any chance we we might get to peruse some of their rare lore?"
Looking at the other more sneaky halfling, "Holman Nimblefingers, it's been a while since since we worked together as well, when we tracked down Nieford Sharrowsmith in the Mwangi Expanse."
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Svetlana is delighted at the appearance of the friendly face "Marra! It has been so long!"
"I make no promises, even when we have the guiding wisdom of The Order to help us in the enforcement of law, there are some in the Orders who interpret the texts less benevolently - our doctrine tells us that the delivery of justice and meting out of punishment must be done 'without mercy', however that does not imply it should be done with enthusiasm and delight. The intent is clear, the rotting flesh must be excised from the living tissue, like a gangrenous limb cut from the body to save the life of the greater whole - this is a matter of cold pragmatism, not a matter for cruelty and malice. When carving the sick flesh from the healthy, it is required to cut into the healthy flesh too, the difference is in the opinions on how far we feel we should be cutting to achieve that - except we are dealing with whole people in a society, not just a limb, so the question becomes how many of the good folk we may be required to slice away to preserve society, how many of their freedoms, how many of their lives to be lost. We must remember that the applications of law are there to serve an ordered society and we should only take pleasure from the end result, not take pleasure in the administration of punishment nor see its application merely to service our own ends, for we are the stewards and custodians, not the owners, of the society we wish to help shape"
"Perhaps the libraries of the Archive are something we could arrange for you to see, Zarta and myself would be happy to talk to you about the interesting things to be found in the Dark Archive... of course there's the small matter of an initiation, it won't hurt - trust me, I'm a Hellknight"
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Grimaldus is a 23 year old, 7 foot tall human with an exceptionally athletic build. He wears a suit of mithril Full Plate armor with a diaphanous cloak covered in elven runes. He carries a 5 foot long adamantine greatsword that sparks with electrical currents over his shoulder, a heavy flail on his belt, and a masterwork darkwood composite shortbow that most people couldn't even draw...
"Well met. I am Brother-Captain Grimaldus of the Silver Dragons Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. We are a highly militant group descended from ancient spacefaring gods of war. As you can see, I was bred for my massive size and ferocious personality, but I am neither barbarian nor half-breed. My brothers and sisters are masters of warfare and strict in our discipline, similar to the Hellknights. Like them, we believe in law and hierarchy, knowing that structure is important, but flexibility within that structure is vital to survival."
"I have heard about most of you from my fellows - only Penelope Tyaden is new to me. I am eager to work with all of you on this mission."
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Zarta Dralneen cannot suppress a faint smile on her face. "An admirer, how quaint! I jest, Svetlana. I'm well-aware of your state of service to the Archive, and I cannot tell you how you continuous efforts to help our cause have never stopped pleasing me. As it happens, it was I who cherry-picked you for this mission. Now go and make me proud, girl." She addresses a slight but unmistakable wink to the Hellknight.
Venture-Captain Heidmarch answers Penelope's questions to the best of her ability. "We don't know much about this temple, but its obvious connection to the elemental planes is a boon for us these days, for we seek specific knowledge about this topic. All we know is that it hasn't been explored yet because of elemental guardians preventing access to the temple itself. You'll have to make a deal with the Hellknights so that they show you the way there and help you in turn with the guardians. I think the Hellknights couldn't care less about this temple for themselves."
"As for your other questions, I believe you should ask our Hellknight contact, Signifier Karva, whom we think will welcome you upon your arrival in the Menadors."
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Pleased to meet you, Brother-Captain Grimaldus. While I must admit to being new to all of you, your mutual glowing references only compel me to put the greatest of trust in you.
Penelope then turns to Marra: Worry not for the figurative hacking of limbs, none of that will happen in the literal form, Lady Marra. I have pledged myself to be the protector of the open road, and it is an oath I intend to keep. I pride myself that none have fallen under my watch.
Captain Heidmarch, you speak of elemental guardians barring the entrance to this temple. While I know yet evil not to be an element, pray what form do these guardians take?
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"As far as we know, these elementals hurled lightning bolts at the people who discovered the temple. Better be careful." suggests Sheila Heidmarch.
Seeing that all Pathfinder agents stand ready for their mission, Venture-Captain Heidmarch calls upon the services of several wizards to have you sent to the far reaches of northern Cheliax. Your stomach churns as the scenery around you dissolves, only to be replaced by a much less comfortable one. The area is a small clearing in the midst of a field of boulders and hoary trees. To the north, the ground slants sharply upward and leads into mountainous peaks of jagged rocks. Roiling black clouds are gathered behind the peaks and the region is filled with a hushed quiet.
The Hellknight expedition waits in the clearing, oiling swords and reviewing spellbooks. There are ten Hellknights in total, including the expedition leader who treads forward to meet you in person. Like all the other Hellknight signifiers, her face is covered by a steel mask, though a hint of dark hair is visible behind it. She is slightly shorter than the rest of the Hellknights. Her commanding voice pierces the quiet. "Pathfinders. My name is Signifer Karva and I am in charge of this expedition. The Order of the Gate doesn’t often work with your organization. Under different circumstances, we could have even been enemies. But today that is not so—we share the common purpose of restoring order to this region. Know that at my command, my Hellknights will sacrifice their lives to accomplish this mission, and I expect no less from you. If you truly wish to return home safely, obey my commands and heed your duties. Any questions before we march on?" her stern voice issues.
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"They could have been enemies, but they come as friends"
As Svetlana moves forward, the glammer surrounding her fades away slowly, revealing her to be dressed in her full Hellknight Plate of blackened steel, highly decorated and ornate, featuring dozens of tiny leering imps worked into the metal - closer inspection notes all of the Imps wings are razor sharp. On her chestplate is the seal of the Order of the Gate, and also the seal of the House of Thrune.
"Hellknight Irriseni. These Pathfinders are our allies, and they share our vision of an ordered and structured region. You will not find them wanting or their commitment wavering - I assure you they have no early thoughts to returning home - their intentions only focussed on the task at hand. Tell us then, Signifier, what of the mission - what can you tell us of the road ahead and of the expected enemy?"
Svetlana looks across also to the other Hellknights curious to see if there are any familiar faces.
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Svetlana scans the Hellknight troupe, recognizing one or two familiar figures. However, she can't be certain those are the companions she thinks them to be since they all wear the traditional masks of the signifiers - spellcasters among Hellknights. She knows them to be the vast majority of the Order of the Gate's members.
Signifier Karva gets straight to the point, briefing you efficiently. She simply nods at Svetlana, yet she seems to expect something from her.
"The source of the chaos is unknown, but we suspect it’s an incursion of planar beasts or undead working in league with a tribe of orcs called the Severed Hand. Our diviners received troubling visions of scarred orcs covered with strange runes, piles of heaped skulls, and swarms of wriggling worms. Worse still, the diviners sense that the chaotic taint is growing stronger. They sent us to investigate."
"The Severed Hand tribe lives deep in the mountains, roughly a two-day march from here. Our patrols seldom come out this far, so we will be in untamed wilderness for most of the expedition. There is a small peak called Gozreh’s Fork near the edge of the tribe’s territory that offers a good view of the region. We will head there first to get a grasp of where things stand in the mountains."
"If you don't have any other questions, we'll get going. You can ask more questions on the way. We're almost late, and I hate being late. At my command - HELLKNIGHTS, MUSTER!" As she speaks, every single signifier who seemed taken in their various activities packs up in under ten seconds, then joins perfectly-organized ranks. Then, they remain perfectly still, waiting for Karva's next order, which she barks a split-second later. "MARCH!" You realize then why Hellknights are so feared throughout all of Cheliax and Avistan. Perfect, relentless discipline. Mind and body as one, doubting no command, nor their own abilities. The column marches onwards on the slopy road of the Menador mountains, each step bringing them relentlessly closer to the accomplishment of their quest.
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Svetlana looks at the marching line, reminding herself that she doesn't need to be in it. "Well structured and ordered - it is beautiful to see, her commands are precise and the response instinctual and immediate - which is what we need to maintain to beat back the chaos that confronts us"
"Penelope, travelling with Hellknights it is very likely you will, at some point, be face to face with some of our Devil servants and allies, I understand you may find it confronting - but let us all see the bigger view. From time to time I call upon my agent and she fights to keep me alive, as she will fight for you."
Survival
"Those black clouds on the horizon aren't just for ambience, reckon a large storm is due within the next day, we should keep our eyes open for a decent harbour location as we travel
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"The taint of chaos must be beaten back before it can establish a stronger foothold in this world. We must guard our minds and hearts and stand fast in this trial!" he responds.
Grim nods his approval at the demonstration of discipline and efficiency. These Hellknights were almost equal to the Adeptus Astartes - certainly better than many others he had seen in his years. Although he doesn't fall in ranks, he does march in step with the column, his feet landing in perfect synchronization with the signifiers.
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Looking up at the hellknights, Marra wonders, "An incursion of planar beast or undead, isn't there a temple with an connection to the elemental planes near here? It might be worth checking out as a possible source of the incursion."
The halfling has no difficulty keeping up with the humans due to her boots of striding.
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Signifier Karva expresses growing concerns as she beholds at the black clouds gathering. "Make any preparation you think is necessary. We are taking a break soon." The terrain quickly grows rugged as the expedition gets underway. The Hellknights remain in an orderly column through the mountains, though you are given free reigns as to what configuration you want to march in.
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Most of the Pathfinders attempt to protect themselves against the coming storm, yet only Hellion has her mind truly set on the task. She earns a respectful nod from another Hellknight, a man she thinks she knows despite his wearing the signifier mask - a combatant called Ursion Voralius. Exactly one hour after you set out, Karva calls the troop to a halt. "Five minutes break! Adjust your packs and rest, Hellknights." The troop immediately obeys, each and everyone of them returning to the menial tasks they were performing as you arrived. Ursion uses the break to come and talk to you.
"Hellion, is that you? I wasn't sure until I saw you in action. How long has it been - four years? Or since basic training at Citadel Enferac? Did you see? I managed to rise to full Hellknight status now - after I've slain that bearded devil in single combat. Here, did you see the engravings?" He motions to his pitch-black, serrated armor made of dark steel. On his pauldron, a series of engravings written in Infernal tell the tale of his fight, as well as the name of the devil that was slain. A common practise among Hellknights, though most prefer to engrave the name of the demons they slay in combat.
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"And now you serve as an inspiration to not only fresh faced armigers like we were as we arrived gawking at the gates of Enferac, but serve as a beacon of hope in the lands of the lawless and a symbol of the ordered and benevolent society so many yearn for" Svetlana warmly welcomes her companion "What a fine suit of armour, and so neatly engraved - I hope you left plenty more room to engrave the rest of the long story you are yet to write, and the names of all the fallen, for now your great works will truly begin!"
"These are my other fellows, Pathfinders, and whilst the organisation is not as disciplined as one of the Orders, there is no mistaking the sense of common purpose. 'Explore, report, cooperate' is the creed and that is what they do, remarkable how they managed to get such disparate people from all the lands to work together and put aside what would often be stark cultural differences - look at our group - a mixed bunch, and yet we all know we can rely on the other without question"
"Holman and Marra, I have fought many foes at Marra's side by the way - we've had some wild adventures, that is Grimaldus - he seems to have got lost on the way to a Citadel, looks like a Hellknight, sounds like a Hellknight, probably should have been a Hellknight, and then we have Penelope over here as well, another sword wielder, but this one a servant of the heavens"
"We march to battle, and a further forging of the relationship between the Hellknight Orders and the Pathfinder Society"
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The signifier nods, trusting Hellion's judgement, but addresses her a quizzical look. "A fine troop indeed you have here, though how you can retain an alliegeance to both organizations is beyond me. How do you manage it? Have you faced situations where your loyalties conflicted? If you had to choose, which one would you choose?"
Then he adresses Hellion's companions. "What about you, do you all trust her with your life?"
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"A pertinent question - and one that crosses any right thinking mind from time to time. I suppose it becomes easier to deal with when recalling that the Pathfinders don't demand the same level of devotion and adherence to the rigid structure as we do, indeed I have been conflicted and when that conflict arose I simply illustrated that it was always clear who and what I was, and that it should be obvious what my decisions were going to be, and likewise I have had to show restraint on the face of an Andoran extremist who sought to taunt and provoke, and yet rather than smite him for his troubles - yet I could reflect on The Measure and understand that the local laws and customs of Absalom forbid striking him, and draw on the wisdom of control in The Chain to show discipline. We gain nothing by sinking to their level. Yes I admit, it can be trying to have to continually appraise and measure each interaction on two sets of scales - which is why this is not a challenge for everyone - there is a level of peace and tranquilty to be enjoyed by having one simple philosophy to follow. The good thing is I find it unlikely I will be called upon to choose, for when asking a Hellknight to choose, like asking Penelope there, you always know which way we are going to go..."
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Grimaldus nods at Svetlana's words, knowing the complement between professional soldiers. "Yes, I trust the Hellion with my life. Although when I was younger and fresh to the Society, I was hesitant to join such a mixed group. But I found that the diversity of thought and experience inherent in a group hailing from the far edges of the lands is our greatest strength. There were many times when I was unable to solve a situation on my own because my training and background prevented me from seeing what was an obvious solution for someone else. And so my loyalties are easily given to my comrades first and my chapter second. Without each other there would be no order to uphold, no discipline to embrace."
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Voralius waits for a moment for Holman or Penelope to add something, but then simply nods. Silence can be an answer after all.
"I hope you'll never have to make that choice, but who knows?" he shrugs. "I could never do what you do, I think it's way too difficult to try and tread on a razor blade. Thanks for your answers though, that's food for thought." he concludes, addressing a faint smile to Hellion. A few seconds later, orders are given for the column to resume their position and continue marching. As the first time, the order is obeyed without any question or delay, an example of the Hellknight's incredibly efficient discipline.
Soon after, you arrive in an area marked by strange deformations. Large boulders and rocky outcroppings droop and sag on the side of the mountain, as if they were made of putty instead of stone. Moreover, the trees are twisted and warped into loathsome shapes. Each tree is covered with wooden growths shaped like writhing tentacles, grasping claws, and toothy mouths. The ground squishes underfoot and thousands of earthworms wriggle atop the soil.
As the expedition explores the warped terrain, clumps of earthworms wriggle up from the ground and crawl all over anyone who stands still for long.