Mugmuff shrugs, not really concerned with calendars or dates. "Not know when me died, so not know what me missed... maybe good find out?"
He walks up to Almina and asks pointedly, without preamble and without concern or even knowledge of the other events in the world, "What happen to Karzug? He be dead again, me hope. Him bad!"
"Last time I check, he was alive... and now that I clear my head, I suppose it was about five years ago, or close enough to it, that I died myself. I never did have a good brain for numbers."
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"Well this is not good news at all. I've been dead at east a few years then if that is the case. I don't like what that could mean for my house. Seems we were in line for quite a while then. It sounds like the Tyrant has had quite a lot of time to set up shop then. From the looks of these faces I doubt anyone has been able to put up much of a fight against the lich. Now that I think about it, immigrating to Geb might not be such a bad idea." Loc would mumble as he nodded his head at the date.
The group of recently brought back to life heroes spend the rest of the afternoon chatting amongst both themselves and any patrons there able to draw into conversation. None really want to discuss the current events of the wider world at large, but many will talk about their personal lives.
While each of them have a story of woe, misfortune, or just plain poor decisions, they all have one thing in common:
Life has started to get better for them, once they found the Blessed Cup. Those who needed a job found employment here, or in nearby establishments, while those who were sick, or had sick family, have found healing. There's even one former soldier, who turned to drink after the rest of his unit fell, that has gotten cleaned up and sober, thanks to Penshi.
As evening falls, he motions for you all to follow him to his study, which is a warmly lit room, full of books, a few small tables, and plenty of comfortable chairs. He waits till you all sit. "The world, as you knew it, has ended. The runelords rule much of Varisia and the surrounding regions. Kyonin was destroyed by a second Earthfall, thanks to the sorcerous machinations of the vile drow, which is also why it is so gloomy out. The sun is more or less blocked by the perpetual cloud of darkness that sprang up after. Demon Lords have conquered much of the lands near the Worldwound, which has spread a great deal. The Whispering Tyrant has escaped his prison, and overthrown all of Ustalav. There is more, but I will let this sink in, and answer any questions you might have before I go on"
"Lots badness, yes?" Mugmuff shakes his head as he absorbs it all, trying to make sense of the things he knew nothing about - Kyonin, Earthfall, drow and the Whispering Tyrant - Runelords, on the other hand, he knew something about, though in truth very little, only that they were bad, very very bad. "This place of much good... what they call that? making things less bad.. even between good and bad better. What me do help?"
Suddenly the Stable Boy speaks. He is standing, no leaning, on Penshi's deep, high backed chair picking at his fingers. You can only guess what he's getting from under those finger nails. He speaks, completely ignoring Magmuff, I wouldn't ask if your families survived. The answer is probably 'no'. Oh and the east, Tian Xia, is similarly a burning...
Penshi makes a small motion and cuts off the boy mid sentence.
My apologies. the boy says only half-heartedly.
Lian looks up at the boy, "On my behalf, I already knew the answer."
Despite herself, it's the coldest she's sounded since awakening.
Matsuoka starts at the mention of his homeland, and he squares his shoulders and raises his head high. "What is this? You know what became of Tian Xia? Of Minkai? Tell me it's no worse than what else I hear."
Rumors, mostly. the Stable Boy says as he picks at a stubborn bit of nasty under his left thumbnail. The Oni Daimyo have risen. The Empress of the World and the River Devil recently came to blows over Minkai. Emperor Shigure died upon hearing the news that his country was being used as a boxing ring for demi-gods. At last word half the islands were getting either sucked into the void or drowned. He pauses as the offending speck finally gives up. He flicks it over his shoulder. The nonverbal commentary is clear and clearly intended. Penshi makes a short motion across his throat at the boy and his teeth audibly clamp shut.
"So it's clear what we have to do then. We need to go and save as many people as we can, in as fast a way as we can. Are there any forces left who can yet be called upon to fight evil? What about the major crusading religions?"
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"ummm I'm sorry but I would disagree with that. Not much use in trying to save people when the entire world is about to crumble. We should look into teaming up with any surviving forces to at least try and settle some of these issues. For one Lastwall may still be of help against the tyrant. I pray that mother and father were able to fall in line with the rest of the undead when the tyrant came into power. As long as they play along to his whims they should hopefully be ok. If it is a army we want though I could get to work starting to at least create a small regiment. I'm sure a few dead crusaders would not be opposed to a second chance at going against the armies of evil. If we are deciding who to go against first, I think it should be the tyrant. Every body that falls near his land is a possible addition to his forces after all."
"You know how I feel about the undead Loc."
"We should consider all possibilities and assets, so much of Golarion is at stake," Lian recommends.
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"Forget Golarian. A country, world, or even plane will always be on the brink of destruction. Have you ever looked any of the literature on daemons or demons? I'm just worried about gathering as much raw materials and power as we can to fight these threats. I think lastwall will be our best bet in gathering more allies considering how close it is to both the Worldwound and Ustalav.
Now Karen I now you hate the undead but that is my forte. I'll only use bodies of our enemies. I'll draw up a couple of contracts as well. I'm sure many want revenge against the monsters that destroyed their lives. I can grant those who were killed the ability to enact said revenge after all."
"So then you are only going to be creating intelligent undead?"
"Loc, you may wish to be circumspect in gathering power, potential resources may be lost if we do not consider the outlook of allies."
Lian then adds, with a definite tone of hesitation, "I'm also worried we're jumping the sling. We're just a handful of people on an island city full of refugees! I tried drawing alliances between a few city-states before, and that was not near enough. Standing against the Worldwound and the Whispering Tyrant both? And with other dangers like the Fey and what's hit Tian Xa still out there?"
"You say what not work... what you say work? Why we here?"
Penshi smiles at the discussion, but decides to inject a little sobering reality "You lot have just come back from the dead, and from the sounds of it, you all died facing some of these evils already. What makes you think you'll fare any better this time around?"
"Me feel stronger... me think work together, do better!" He looks at the others, shrugs. "But need agree work together. But hard with him make dead walkers, her no work with dead walkers."
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"I also plan on putting many more bodies between the baddies and myself. You do make a good point Lian. I will admit how ever I am not to good with the living. Making allies and friends is not my forte. I should be able to provide support in other ways though. We may be able to undercut the Tyrant though. Maybe vampires are against him trying to wipe out all life so we should be able to gather some allies if we pursue that route as well. We will most definitely have to work together if we want to make any sort progress. My deal is that I will only make intelligent undead out of those who agree to the process or who we are fighting against. Mindless undead in the case of people who still consent but who only wish to donate their bodies. Sound like a fine agreement?"
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"There is also the potential to perhaps have one evil fight another? I wonder how the Whispering Tyrant fares against the demons."
Lian smiles, "If everyone else is gung-ho, far be it from me to hold back. Mugmuff especially raises an insight- last time, I was alone. And weaker."
She turns to Loc, "The mere fact you are willing to negotiate is promising..."
Lian still sounds unsure, not over Loc's deal, but the scale of the task in front of them.
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Over the course of the next couple of hours, Penshi fills you in on all the various changes and goings on in Golarion currently. Things are pretty much apocalyptic, not just on Avistan, but south in Garund as well.
However, despite the incredibly grim and dire state of affairs, there are some bright points:
Thanks to the efforts of the group of adventurers who braved the Worldwound, as well as the aid of a small host of angels, Nocticula, the former Demon Lord has ascended to godhood, and interestingly is apparently no longer evil.
Likewise, while they were unable to actually defeat her, a party of heroes was able to at least halt the insane machinations of Elvanna, 'daughter' of Baba Yaga. The usurper to the throne of the Witch Queen sough to blanket all of Golarion in endless winter. You're pretty sure that with everything else going on, that would have likely been the death knell of pretty much all sentient life on the planet, or close enough.
Also, while the Serpent God Ydersius has been brought back from torpor and is once again active in the Mwangi Expanse, it is caught in a war with the Demon Lord Angazhan whose cultists were able to summon The Ravener King to the mortal realm.
Thankfully, Old-Mage Jatembe returned from his self-imposed exile to the planes, and he and the Ten Magic Warriors have erected a powerful mystical barrier around the whole of the Expanse, trapping both themselves and the powerful evils inside.
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Loc will lean back and smoke as he begins to hear about the current state of the world. "Wow. So it seems like everything has literally gone up. I guess it will be hard to even get most places with the demons rampaging over so much of the land. To be honest though I have no real desire to go after one person over another. We obviously need to attempt to rally against one of these forces for now. I'll gain raw materials no matter what. Does anyone have any place they would like to visit first? We can look into gaining any resistance fighters when we decide that."
"An irony- the threat I was so worried about is already surrounded by demons. I can confirm to people it's true, though I am unsure if the news would be taken as a positive or negative at this point,"
Lian then pauses, and adds, "And now I see why the Northern towns were reluctant to form an alliance against the Fey. It seems they had bigger problems. All for naught, one way or another."
"We should look at going after either Tar Baphon or Karzoug. They will be the most difficult. After that, I would say we fight the other one, then, see where we're at then."
"We should probably reach out to Lastwall and see what aid they can lend."
"It's a shame about the Pathfinder Society. An army of adventurers would sure come in handy about now."
"Karzug much bad. Him powerful. How we find? And it best idea go kill strongest first?"
"I think so Mugmuff. If we can kill the strongest, it will show people that there is still hope, and maybe inspire others to rise up as well."
"Are we positive that Karzoug is the most powerful? I mean, Tar Baphon has killed a demigod. He is at least on the level of creatures like the demon lords. This may sound in poor taste but I was going to suggest teaming up with the runelord of greed to gain a army against the world wound. There is not much for him to claim if the demons burn it all down after all."
"Power. Intent. Amiability to alliance. Enemies. Locations." Lian ticks off a list, "All things to consider.
"The Witch just suffered a defeat and is between the Runelord and the Worldwound. That may be useful."
Mrs. Brook then adds, "First step would be obtaining transport."
"I used to be able to cast wind walk, but not any longer. Can you still teleport Loc?"
"So we should definitely reach out to both the Inner Sea Alliance and Western Encarthan Confederacy, as both could be potential sources. I would like to get started as soon as possible, as Golarion clearly is not going to save itself. I don't know if we should stay together or split up, but I do think we should get moving soon. The sooner we start, the sooner we can start effecting real change. Discuss it among yourself, I am going into the city to get a map and figure out my next move."
Penshi smiles at Karen's decisiveness "While I have a few good maps here, a friend of mine several shops up the street is a master cartographer. Let him know I sent you, and he'll give you a solid discount. He can also help you if you have any more questions."
"Thank you for your help. I shall do that, and return shortly." with that, Karen makes her way out into of the Inn proper and into the city.
"We not die together, but we come back together... make new tribe together. Stronger that way. What do first... closest mebbe?"
After Karen leaves, Penshi turns to the rest of you. "The main power of the Inner Sea Alliance is Cheliax, and their Hellknights, while Lastwall and the Knights of Ozem lead the Western Encarthan Confederacy. Both could benefit from more help, but you six will not turn the tides of any major war or battle. At least, not on your own."
"Me think so too. We strong, but not enuff... Need make allies."
"Of course. We shall have to find more friends," says the newly Kitsune diplomat.
The Stable Boy stands by with crossed arms and smiles ever so slightly. Your best bets are the two alliances that are standing against the tide. That Karen girl will be back momentarily and youall can decide where you want to head first or if you want to split up. I prefer the Hellknights, personally, but that's your call. It's not like I know what I'm talking about. he says in a manner that no so subtly implies that he does, in fact, know what he's talking about.
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"I have to agree with the stable boy. We should see about dealing with the situation in cheliax. If we can help them solidify power once again then that would give us a powerful ally against the tide of demons. In edition it would give us a place to set up a base of operations as well. Once Karen is back with the maps we can plan our best route. Now the biggest question is how can we get in contact with any of their leaders. I don't suppose anyone has any political affiliations that could help?"
"I could check to see who is in the city, traders and dignitaries, and if they could be useful," says the Kitsune
Karen follows the given directions and soon finds herself standing in front of a cartographer's shop. Seeing a light in the window, she enters.
Lian will try and find out the VIPs in town- be they live-in or visiting
(via familiar Lem)
Matsuoka shrugs. "I know... no one here, to be honest. But these knights, they are like samurai, yes? Men who fight with honor and duty at heart? I may be able to speak with them as a fellow. If nothing else, you have my swords at your service." The Tien man looks down at Mugmuff and gives a small smile. "As our small friend says, we are bonded, somehow. A tribe, a clan. My duty is to you."
The shop smells immediately of paper and skins, which you fully expected. The Cartographer is a younger man, maybe in his mid thirties. His hair looks like it's constantly wind blown and his hands are ink stained. He approaches you with an easy smile. Well Met! What can I do for you!
"Hello, Penshi said that you would be the person to talk to if I needed up to date maps of the inner sea region. I need to see what maps you have, with any up-to-date political lines and the like. My companions and I are planning on taking a trip, and need to know the lay of the land."
The man nods and engages in small talk while he goes through a small pile of maps near the front of the shop. He pulls out a bound set of about a dozen maps and rolls it into a scroll tube. We don't know much about what goes on behind enemy lines in the north, unfortunately. It's hard to spy when your foe is mainly undead or demons. That's our best guess as of last week though. Sorry I couldn't do more. Penshi is a good man and I'll help any of his who need it, save the creepy one. So if you need anything more I'll help if it's within my power.