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.”
Ollysta Zadrian salutes warmly both Kuraiskimo and Aetherys Dawnblade “It is good to see you again, agents." She smiles at Jorsal adding "These are Kuraiskimo and Aetherys, two of our most powerfull spell casters in the Silver Crusade.”
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.”
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Aetherys is a lithe elven girl bearing long, well-kept blond hair flowing down to her waist. Some of it is braided, with small clasps respresenting the Dawnflower. Her eyes are deep blue, and she hardly ever blinks. At her side, a black-bladed scimitar rests, engraved with arabesque.
"Greetings, I am Aetherys and this is Dawnblade." she says as she strokes her scimitar. "Lady Zadrian, it is an honor to serve under your command again. How has the Crusade been faring since my last visit here, about two years ago?" She nods at both her and Jorsal. "Venture-Captain, I see that our work here is far from done. I've heard of Valais Durant but never had a chance to meet her. Redemption is something that echoes in all of us, and I feel we have to do all we can to help Valais."
“We cannot complain about how things are developing, Aetherys.”
Ollysta nods and smiles at you.
“Redemption can be achieved in many ways. Do you have any questions? If not, we will call Valais in.” Says Jorsal in his deep voice.
Jorsal nods.
"Yes, she is reliable... But I can understand people not trusting her... You will see with your own eyes."
Ollysta continues.
"Thurl was a Venture Captain. He dedicated his life to studying demons. One got into him. It wasn't pretty. We have tried everything. Nothing seems to work. We are out of options."
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Kurashimo bows respectfully to Ollysta Zadrian "You honor me with your words."
Hearing several questions from his companions Kuraishimo comments on Valais Durant "Her form and much of her soul has been twisted by the vial Thurl. Despite her appearance and voice, she is a Pathfinder and I don't believe she'd intentially put us in harms way."
Kuraishimo nods respectfully to Ollystra again "Ollysta has taught us not to judge others by their looks. I know I would not be here if she had not placed that trust in me."
Kuraishimo appears to be a blueskinned half-bearded devil.
Custom portrait for Kuraishimo courtesy of Paizo's very own Liz Courts.
Ollystra shrugs.
"We had enough on our plates." she lowers her head "That snake..."
The silence after her last word is tense.
Jorsal decides to break it.
”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 AND GROVEL IN FEAR. 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 A POWERFUL SARKORIAN GOD. 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.”
Next, roll knowledges on what you know already. Valais will also answer any questions you have.
Separate clans ruled the land formally known as Sarkoris. When the Worldwound opened in 4606 AR, the demons destroyed most of the clans. Refugees fled into Mendev, Numeria, Ustalav, and the Realm of the Mammoth Lords.
The Sarkorians worshiped an ever-changing pantheon of gods. Among these were “true” gods, empyreal lords, and demon lords, as well as powerful outsiders. Others were fictitious beings or eidolons summoned by the revered people they referred to as god callers.
Laktharis was the name of a brutal living god who ruled over the city of Dredarin, a small city in the hills north of Storasta. He demanded total devotion and obedience from his worshipers.
Worship of Laktharis started in 4482 AR. Within 5 years, most of the people of Dredarin worshipped Laktharis as their sole deity. When the Worldwound opened in 4606 AR, demons overran Dredarin and slew Laktharis’s followers.
With crusaders looking to take back land in the Worldwound, many Sarkorian refugees look to reclaim their ancestral homeland.
Though the crusaders have had some success at converting the descendants of the original Sarkorian clans to the worship of Iomedae, Sarenrae, and other good deities, most of the native Sarkorians follow the polytheistic ways of their ancestors.
Shyael is a paladin of Erastil who is often more concerned with helping the displaced Sarkorian people than fighting demons. However, when she does come across demons, she fights without mercy.
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Rhuul considers the odd form of Valais for a while, pondering what she has to say.
"I'm not sure about what has gone before, but Sarkonian refugees heading back in to reclaim their homeland may explain one of their gods interest. Especially if that will help reestablish their worship."
He steeples his fingers and then asks
"Shayael...she is a paladin is she not? An unusual choice for a scout."
Ollysta replies Adowyn,
“The WorldWound is not closed. Not yet. For now, we can be proud to have contained the threat and pushed the demon armies back. The demon armies have retreated and crusaders seek to reclaim land inside the Worldwound and to build more wardstones to further contain the demonic threat.”
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"I have heard of this Laktharis. He was a brutal living god who ruled over the city of Dredarin, a small city in the hills north of Storasta. He demanded total devotion and obedience from his worshipers, back in the days of Sarkoris. Separate clans used to rule this land. When the Worldwound opened in 4606 AR, the demons destroyed most of the clans. Refugees fled into Mendev, Numeria, Ustalav, and the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. The Sarkorians worshiped an ever-changing pantheon of gods. Among these were “true” gods, empyreal lords, and demon lords, as well as powerful outsiders. Others were fictitious beings or eidolons summoned by the revered people they referred to as God Callers." explains the holy warrior. "This Laktharis was one of them, I guess. A being of formidable power perhaps, but not a real god. Perhaps he would have the power to cure Valais."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Ye know the secret to the wardstones? I had thought the lore lost. That be good news at the very least."
To Aetherys he just nods "I've fought critters that claimed to be gods before. And unpleasing to the eye they were. That one we had a mighty archer which was handy as the critter flew. From what I here many demons can. What type of force can we bring to bear on such adversaries?"
Ollystra nods at Rhuul.
"We recovered the lore."
Jorsal stands up.
"You must prepare yourselves for the travel."
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"I can transform into a flying beast to fight airborne, if need be. " Aetherys answers.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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 TERRIFYING 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.
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"We are past the Wardstones, out here we should always be on our guard."
Once the ruins are in view Kuraishimo will active his wand of mage armor before carefully returning the wand to its sheath.
In response to the question about ranged.
"I am capable of bringing my magic to bear against foes upwards of 200 ft away although my maximum effectiveness is much closer."
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Rhuul unfurls his flag bearing a rune of the open road.
"Well... friend or foe.. Could that be our missing Shyael?"
During the last ten days, Rhuul has been updating a historic map of the area, noting down how the terrain has changed and where buildings may still be standing.
He takes out the map again and notes the presence of the buried village.
"So, Valais.. is this an expedition you were aware of?"
"If that is Shyael I should hide in the shadows, use subterfuge... I do not want to jeopardize the mission. Things could go ugly, AND I WOULD VERY MUCH ENJOY THAT."
Valais raises her hood.
She continues speaking.
"I am not informed of such expedition. People don't tell me everything they like to keep us in the dark. They are AFRAID OF ME."
As soon as the group approaches the figure standing on the roof raises her fist.
"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, covered in her hood, and Kuraishimo.
Her eyes are on the tiefling.
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.
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Kuraishimo gives a slight polite bow, and since they don't seem especially interested in shooting us, gives a more specific explanation.
"I presume you are God-Callers of Sarkoris. I am warmed to see your tribe in such number. There have been prophetic dreams among us, and we seek Laktharis, one of your gods. Do you seek him as well, or are you here for another purpose?"
"One cannot sit in this region. One must be always vigilant. Demons lurk in the shadows."
When she says the last words, she looks at Kurai.
"Speak, but allow me to remain in my post."
The elven woman lowers the bow.
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Aetherys continues, making every effort to pick her words carefully, and thus not anger the elven woman. "Are you Shayel, by chance? We were sent by Jorsal of Lauterbury to help scout these ruins and make sure you'd be safe. He has the crusaders' interests at heart. We are Pathfinders, currently escorting this person," she motions at Valais, "to the place she's seeking. While her appearance might make you fear she'd be a demon, be not afraid - she isn't. She's a Pathfinder at heart, and we're here to make sure she finds the means to banish the demonic remnants from her self. I myself will solemnly swear, in the name of the Silver Crusade, that Valais is no demon. Will you allow us to help you, and perhaps you'd help us in return?"
The archer relaxes.
"Jorsal send you? Good to have someone on my side. 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. They claim they are looking for a 'bleeding tree."
The elf pulls her canteen and drinks some water.
"What do your prophets say about Laktharis?"
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Aetherys also relaxes when she sees the elf crusader adopt a less wary stance. "I know a few things about Laktharis, including that he was a brutal living god who ruled over the city of Dredarin, a small city in the hills north of Storasta. He demanded total devotion and obedience from his worshipers, back in the days of Sarkoris. Valais is looking for him, since we believe he could help her one way or another. She has seen him in her visions." she quietly explains.
"Valais, would you like to explain what you've seen? Don't worry, these people won't judge you on your appearance." the holy warrior asks.
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Rhuul pricks up his ears.
"A brutal city god doesn't quite seem in line with the god incarnate as a bleeding tree..."
He looks around those present. "Does anyone else know anything about these people or that god - tree thingy?"
He gives the paladin of Erastil a smile. "Got any maps I could look at ?"