Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury stands on a balcony of Starrise Spire, overlooking Nerosyan. The sounds of saws and hammers echo from the city below. He turns to the tall woman in full-plate armor standing by his side and says, "Ollysta, I believe our Pathfinder agents have arrived."
The woman is none other than Ollysta Zadrian, leader of the Silver Crusade faction. She walks up to Bunk and Shonne, greeting them both with a firm handshake. "Thank you for coming, Pathfinders. I know the travel all this way to the edge of Worldwound isn't easy." Then she turns back Jorsal, presenting the two to the Venture-Captain. "This is Shonne, Emissary of Kyonin, and this is Bunk, Envoy of Balance. Both members of my own Silver Crusade faction, and valiant warriors against evil. I am afraid I do not have the pleasure of knowing the ones they travel with, but I am sure my Pathfinders choose their companions well."
Jorsal bows slightly and smiles. "A pleasure. As you can see, Nerosyan is still rebuilding. However, thanks to the timely and decisive actions of the Pathfinder Society, Mendev still has a city to rebuild. I want to personally thank those of you who had a direct hand in helping to contain the threat of the Worldwound. We now look for new sites to establish forward bases of operations.
"Yet, even our victories shine a light on our failures. It seems that while we were able to rebuild Nerosyan and drive out the demonic scourge, we could not rebuild the body and mind of one of our own."
Ollysta takes over, "For nearly two years the Silver Crusade has worked with the Pathfinder Society to attempt to cure Valais, a Pathfinder sent to investigate former Venture-Captain Thurl. He kidnapped her, then shattered her mind and body, replacing most of her physique with babau and kalavakus flesh."
The paladin splays her hand and holds it up, as if to the rising sun. "Even the light of the Dawnflower cannot banish Thurl’s darkness; usual healing magic has had no effect."
Jorsal steps forward, "Valais has an idea that she believes could help the Society and herself, but I’ll let her explain it to you. Are there any questions you have about her unique situation before we call her in? I can also answer any questions you have about the crusade against the demons of the Worldwound before we continue."
|
Isabella steps forward a bit. She wears a immaculate mithral chain shirt with the sword and sun of Iomedae over her left breast. On her belt she has a long, curving blade that some might recognize as an aldori dueling blade. Over her shoulder she has a darkwood longbow and a backpack that does not seem to contain that much. She caries herself with dignity and a quickness in step that matches a tiger's posture.
"Well met Venture Captain, Miss Zadrian. I am Isabella. You said that Thurl has shattered her mind, is there still a sign of the old Valais that she used to be? I am eager to help her revert to her old self, but is such a thing even possible?"
|
Bunk is a middleaged red headed man, strays of grey on his beard. A symbol of P'tah hangs from his neck. He protect his body with a mithral chainshirt, his shield shows the same symbol.
A steel mace hangs from his left hip, the shield on the floor along his backpack.
He speaks common in a Magnimarian accent, almost chewing the words.
"Thanks for your kind words, m'lady." sips water from a glass and continues "What happened to Valais?"
|
|
"Madam Zadrian if you please, 'babau and kalavakus'? I am unfamiliar with these." Says the tall, willowy, elf woman.
|
Adeah stands with her hands on her hips during introductions. Her straight dark hair is streaked with red and falls to her shoulders. Sprouting from her back is a pair of large, crimson-feathered wings-- a telltale sign of her heavenly ancestry. She keeps her wings tied down with cord; they're of little use, and she prefers they not get in her way. Across her back, pointing downward, is her musket.
"I'm guessing we're about to find out. Sounds like one of those 'try not to stare' types of situations."
“Thurl used her in his experiments. He replaced much of her body with demonic flesh and suffused used them into her essence. A group of Pathfinders managed to rescue her and bring her here.” Jorsal answers Bunk’s question, before turning to address Isabella’s queries: ”Oh, yes. Valais is still there. All things considered, her mind is surprisingly intact. She’s in control … for the most part.“
Patiently waiting until Jorsal has finished, Ollysta shares her knowledge with Shone. ”They are both types of demons from Abyss. The babau work as assassins, while kalavakus are the slavers on Abyss. Very dangerous creatures, both kinds.”
A red beast shrouded in mist stands next to a silent green-skinned man. The beast bears a riders seat while adorning a trinket or two himself. Upon the quadruped's neck glows a runic mark.
The half-orcs red eyes contrast sharply with the hue of his skin. His hairless scalp does little to hide the glowing mark he shares with his companion. Loosely holding a large axe, he takes in the other pathfinders.
The saddled beast speaks, "Yeah, those demons can be tricky. Was there a purpose to his experiments beyond torturing the poor soul?"
Jorsal explains, “Ah, apologies. Thurl's betrayal was such a scandal here, I forget the word might have not reached everyone in other regions. Thurl is a dwarven demonologist and former venture-captain. He worked out of Nerosyan in his own lodge, attempting to study the demons to find their weaknesses. Apparently, he was corrupted by his own fascination. But what purpose the experiments served, I cannot say.”
”But perhaps it is best that Valais herself explains the rest,” Jorsal continues and leaves the balcony briefly, only to return after a few moments. Behind the Venture-Captain follows a gruesome sight - amalgam of human and fearsome demons. Her visage is a patchwork of cream, red, and purple skin with asymmetrical horns. The demonic parts of her look aggressive, almost savage, but what little remains human, looks kind and peaceful.
Valais says, “Greetings Pathfinders, My name is Valais. I hope that you do not find my appearance too disturbing . I need your help investigating a mystery and Jorsal won’t let me go out alone, skulking in the dark, waiting.
“I’ve been having strange dreams lately about stone halls, a terrible beast, and a bleeding tree. Echoing throughout is a single word: ‘Laktharis.’ Our scholars say he is I’ve also felt a compulsion to find something in the Worldwound, dark and hidden.”
Jorsal interjects, “We’d like you to escort her and help her overcome any trials. Keep her safe and watch for anything that could help her condition. While out there, the Crusade asks that we keep an eye out for any abandoned buildings or fortresses we could use and to ensure they are habitable. The crusaders have already sent out a scout, an elf named Shyael. She hasn’t reported in for a week and they’d like an update on her progress. If you don’t run into her, just report your findings about potential sites directly to me.”
The creature tries to gather up something, but in the end, it simply shakes its head and looks to the others in the room.
|
|
"My last escort mission didn't go so well-- some people just try to get themselves killed. But if you can manage to stay out of the thick of things, Beauty Queen, we'll get you where you need to go."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Isabella's Detect Evil does not detect anything on Valais, despite her demonic appearance.
...But if you can manage to stay out of the thick of things, Beauty Queen, we'll get you where you need to go."
"I am painfully aware of my appearance, so that was uncalled for," Valais says disapprovingly, and continues "But do not worry, I will be happy to keep out of trouble. I'll stay in the back, hiding, out of sight."
After a moment of awkward silence Ollysta coughs. "Unfortunately, none of our divinations have provided anything useful. The results have too vague," she says, answering Isabella's question. "Well, then. Unless you have more questions for us, you should go and prepare for your mission. Remember, you will most likely be entering Worldwound, prepare yourselves accordingly."
Jorsal adds, "Since we do not know how far you'll be travelling, take enough rations from the lodge's storage. I strongy advice against eating anything found in Worldwound. Meet Valais here in two hours. Good luck, Pathfinders!"
|
"If the lodge won't provide a mount for free, would it be possible to rent one? I already have a saddle" States Iskar, nodding at Zaas. "Or is a mount going to be unnecessary in our quest?"
Last time I ventured near the world wound I almost lost my friend and my life... thinks Iskar as he ponders his previous visit.
"Other than the probable outsiders we're to encounter, are there any creatures of note we should expect?"
"I need to travel by foot, I don't think I can let my instincts guide me if I am mounted. " Valais explains.
Jorsal nods, and says "So you cannot travel any faster even if mounted. The lodge cannot spare you any horses, but you are of course free to buy them, if you feel that is a more comfortable way to travel. As for enemies, we have no foresight on what you might face out there, except perhaps the beast from Valais' dreams. "
---
At agreed time, the party finds Valais waiting for them. She is wearing a heavy cloak, hiding her features withing the shadows of the hood. "Good, you've come. I do not quite know where I am going, but I'm trusting my instincs will lead the way. So follow close. I try to hide myself as much as possible, my appearance will easily draw mistrust and hostility from others."
Valais leads the group through the many alleys and side streets of Nerosyan. She heads east to Thurl’s old Pathfinder lodge, then northwest, before stopping in front of a small burned down shop near the city’s western walls. She sifts her way through the rubble, uncovering a concealed trap door that leads into a smugglers tunnel that travels beyond the walls of Nerosyan and past the Egelsee River. While traversing the tunnel, everyone suddenly gets an odd feeling - like shiver down one's spine. The dark feels darker, the atmosphere more hostile, and the world... less secure.
You must have passed throught the protection of the wardstones.
The feeling lingers on, as the group pushes onwards. Once they leave the city, Valais leads them out into the Worldwound and toward the demonic city of Storasta, through the scorched hills that used to be the Falling Forest. While no venture into the Worldwound is truly safe, the group does not come across anything that poses a significant challenge to adventurers of their caliber. Instead, they encounter fiendish small animals and wandering dretches, the least of the demonkind, which they can frighten off or dispatch without expending resources. In the distance, the ground occasionally explodes in geysers of raw elemental energy.
Ten long days after leaving Nerosyan, the group's journey takes them to a site of old, half-buried ruins. Picks and shovels lay haphazardly around an excavation camp. The spire and roof of a stone building peek out from the dense, ashen mud. Dozen humanoids can be seen moving next to the building, apparently digging the dirt to uncover more of the ancient structure. A solitary figure is standing on the roof of the uncovered building, watching the party as they approach.
After his friends request, Zaas look around intently searching for hazards.
"Seems they've been working on this for a while. Anyone know what these ruins are? Depending on their progress, perhaps some of the buildings would suit the societies needs."
"Valais, do you know who that is?"
"No idea..." Valais shakes her head, then squeezes her eyes and rubs her temples. "But I think these are the stone halls from my dream. This is where we must go."
"Better that you go first," she says, hiding her face deeper into her hood.When Bunk approaches the diggers, they mostly try to ignore him, and move out of his way. "Please, sir. Do not interrupt our holy work..."
The figure on the roof does not stay silent, however. "Halt! Who goes there!? What business you have in this demon-infested land?" The speaker is an elf woman, clad in light chain shirt. She has a longbow in her hand, ready to fire, but is not yet aiming at anyone. As she speaks, her eyes dart from one Pathfinder to other, staring a bit longer at Valais and Zaas.
The people on the ground are dressed in simple robes and are unarmed. A bit farther away a couple of leather armored humans are observing the newcomers. These men are accompanied by most strange-looking beasts, each pair of man and beast having a matching glowing rune in their foreheads.
"I am Shyael, yes. But I repeat my question only once: who are you, and why have you come here?" the elf says, and draws the bowstring, taking aim at the party's direction.
Isabella's studies the people around with Iomedae's gift, but no one detects as evil.
Bunk think the glowing runes symbolize the connection between a summoner and his eidolon, just like the ones on Iskar and Zaas.
Bunk's peaceful words seem to work, and the elf relaxes visibly, and lowers her bow. "Very well, I trust you. As you guessed, I am Shyael, a crusader and a devotee of Erastil. These Sarkorians asked for crusaders' aid in reclaiming their ancestral land, so I was sent to watch over them. I understood they are trying to revive their ancient tree-god, that is stranded somewhere within this buried cathedral. Laktharis, I believe they called their god."
"But how come you think evil dwells here? I have not detected anything." Shyael touches lightly her holy symbol while she scans the surroundings one more time.
"I am not looking for anything, Pathfinder. I am merely standing guard. Perhaps you should direct your questions to the Sarkorians." The elf looks more friendly now, and the stern look is gone from her face. With a quick motion Shyael puts the arrow back into the quiver, and walks over to the edge of the roof. There she addresses the Sarkorians, "It is all right. I trust these travellers mean you no harm. They claim they are looking for a 'bleeding tree'"
With Shayel vouching the situation safe, one of the the rune-marked men starts to approach the Pathfinders - with the strange-looking beast following close. He bows slightly, and says, "Good day, travellers. I am god caller Iosef. Shayel says you are looking for a tree here in the ruins of Dredarin. Are you also devotees of Laktharis?"
Bunk says no with his head.
"My name is Bunk, and no we are not worshippers of Laktharis."
Bunk pauses and speak again.
"Bit tell me. What can you tell me of Laktharis? Did he order you to do this?"
"Oh, the holiest of us received a calling from Laktharis, the ancient god of our ancestors. He told us to travel here, and unearth his old temple. Within the temple, Laktharis the Tree-God awaits us," Iosef explains, clearly excited.
"You say you are not followers of Laktharis. Would you like to convert? Laktharis was born from the fertility goddess of the sacred heartwood tree, and that his power over nature provided prosperity to our ancestors in ancient times. Laktharis will protect against the taint of the Abyss, but such a great blessing is given only to loyal and obedient servants." Every time the god caller mentions Lakhtaris, the other Sarkorians utter a short prayer.
"Will you swear loyalty to Laktharis, the living god?"
The other god callers walk in closer to listen to the conversation, but the rest of the Sarkorians resume their work in excavating the temple. it looks like they have found the entrance, and it should be only a matter of hours until it can be used for passage.
"Uh, sure."
Before the others have the opportunity to decline, Iosef interprets Adeah’s answer as acceptance. He places his hand on the aasimar’s forehead, smiling happily. ”Welcome to the flock, devotee. May the living god guide your path! Rest easy, friends. We have almost uncovered the entrance to the temple, and very soon we shall be reunited with Laktharis!”
Shonne notes the nearly cleared entry way but goes to stand with Shyael. "Have there been many attacks?"
”Just minor demons,” the elf answers. ”…Dretches and the like. Nothing serious. But one must stay vigilant in Worldwound. If your divinations told you there is evil lurking in the temple, perhaps it is best you go in first. After all, isn’t your Society the experts in investigating ancient ruins?”
A couple of hours later, the Sarkorians wipe the sweat from their brows, and put aside their shovels. The way to the temple is now clear. Shyael approaches the Pathfinders once again, presenting them four arrows from her quiver. ”If your divinations are correct, you might be needing these. Two of the arrows are a bane to demonkind, and the other two work against undead. Good luck!”
The Sarkorians join the gift-giving by presenting the party two healing potions from their supplies.