“Fellow Pathfinders, I am Jorsal of Lauterbury, Venture-Captain of Nerosyan. I welcome you to the Starrise Spire and bid you to find a seat and speak with the other guests. Once everyone is comfortably seated, I will get to the point of this great gathering.”
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A Pathfinder sits near you. He's clearly one of the most experienced Pathfinders you've ever seen. He stands of average height. His thin frame is neither impressive nor memorable, but it allows the latest of fashions to be displayed as if on a tailor's mannequin. Indeed his adventuring gear is impeccably worn. The enchanted chain shirt is woven to sleeves and a color of the most supple of leather. His boots likely cost more than a laborer makes in a year. His fingers sparkle and reflect light in a myriad of colors form the gems on his rings, fingers typically caressing the cheeks of the comeliest woman in the room. Ka'atib's long hair is meticulously groomed, a trait that even the most harrowing of missions never seems to steal. Long and straight it's tied back into a ponytail. His trimmed beard is the latest in Kelishite styles, highlighted by earrings of the purest gold. Ka'atib's eyes are dark and stormy. Their depths have bedded countless women and frightened countless men. In all his comportment commands respect and attention from prince and pauper alike.
But it is his voice that conquers all. His darkened skin bespeaks of his Kelish ancestry, but his voice flows forth with an accent unplaceable. Master of a dozen tongues celestial and otherwise every word comes with an artistic tilt. When the bard chooses to weave in his bardic talents of oration to a speech it shapes thoughts as surely as dwarf's chisel or a wizard's wand. Diplomats sweat and husband's fume at his very presence.
This is Ka'atib the bard, master of word and recorder of stories. He is an orator and troubadour. He is a womanizer and plunderer. He is a diplomat and instigator. He is a Pathfinder through and through.
He smiles, "This, my friends, is going to be fun. Would you care for a nip?" He offers up a flask of the most amazing whiskey you've ever smelled. "If you have questions, speak up. I'm not like the stuffy teachers you're used to. I'm here to help!"
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Jaïr is a petite woman in simple black robes who highlights her silhouette. She had pale complexion but her charming smile and her simple green make-up make her immediately friendly.
At her side, a short sword and several wands.
Around her neck a strange pendant with ancient osiriani designs. The tip of her fingers are lightly blackened by ink, as if she have passed several time in libraries, copying or scribing books.
She smiles back at Ka'atib the bard.
Nice meeting you Ka'atib, I'm Jair Whisper, from Westcrown. It's my first time so far north, can you tell me of this place? I would love to hear more from you!
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"Absolutely!" The bard says with a smile. "Nerosyan is divided into several districts, though the local crusaders often group smaller districts together. The four amalgamated districts include the Egelsee District to the southeast, Confluence District to the southwest, Woundward District to the northwest, and Battle District to the northeast. Considered the heart of Nerosyan, the Cruciform Cathedral is the center of Iomedaean worship in the city. Acting as a tactical command center, the cathedral allows crusaders to quickly move about the city via the interior walls that section off the city."
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A halfling stands next to the others. His gear marks him as an adventurer, he has a backpack, a longsword sheathed in a simple scabbard but his longbow is the most remarkable, made of darkwood. He mainly wears grey clothing with touches of light brown, and uncover his hood, he seems to be in his 30s, recently shaved and with short light brown wavy hairs.
He presents himself in common with a light kellish accent “Hi fellow pathfinders, I’m Reg Maznif. I can find my way in a city, track and if we fight, I’ll shoot arrows”. He then points to the dog next to him, which was calmy sitting next to him. “This is my dog Laila, she has a fine smell, helps with tracking”. The dog emits a noise, as if in approval. “I also have a pony over there in case we need to travel.”
He seems a bit less jovial than the typical halfling. He looks at everyone while they present themselves, thinking I hope they didn’t team me up with some crazy lamashtu cultist this time.
The dog stays sit, looking at every one.
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A huge man of 6feet and 6 inches, weighing about 250pounds of solid muscle joins the others, clad in steel from head to toe and with two massive flails hanging from his hips join you.
Taking off his helmet he shows blond hair and clear cornflower blue eyes. Then he starts to speak in an annoying high pitched voice.
"I am Helios Sunscream. And yes I prefer the direct method!"
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"Good day to you all" The Mwangi male says with a wide smile on his face. "So, I got the message to meet here. Any idea as to why. I have even seen a few seekers and retired pathfinders in attendance. Must be somethin important."
The man takes a seat on the bench. "I am Darven Kinnock. Mwangi Soldier and Pathfinder Mercenary. Just concluded a mission in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, so it was not too much of a trek here. At least I am out of the snow and ice for now."
Ka'atib shakes the newcomer's hand. "Why are we here? If I had to guess, the Pathfinder Society maintains a strong working relationship with the crusaders of Mendev. An extensive treaty exists between the nation and the Society, giving the Society the right to operate in the region, but requiring Pathfinders to defend Mendevian cities and participate in crusades. I'm guessing they're calling in a favor."
"I'm guessing they need our help. It's the only reason we could have all been called here. The Worldwound is infested with demons. Evil
and destructive creatures, demons are native to the Abyss, though they can be summoned by means of magic. Many of the demons within the Worldwound emerged from the rift at the center of the region. The demonic hosts are kept somewhat in line by powerful overlords known as demon lords. The exact number of demon lords is unknown, but many such creatures are revered on Golarion. I'm guessing they've got a problem with one and they want us to help."
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Reg listen carefully to everyone and indicates “getting rid of demons is nice but a tough job. Steel is not enough to hurt them, you usually need cold iron. The are immune to electricity and poison and resist other form of energy. I’ve recently started to learn techniques to fight them, and I’ve got some arrows that should do the job.”
“Pathfinders, please get settled. I’d like to start in a few minutes.”
Reg remembers that demons resist most normal elements, but they have no such resistance to things like sonic energy. He also remembers that more powerful demons require weapons with pure good within them to truly harm them.
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Of course, gods power are truly powerful. Says Jair with a genuine smile before adding
I'm myself a servant of the god, Knowledge is key to Power, so I'm a seeker of knowledge.
Unfortunately, I fear that my power will be limited against these creatures, but if we encounter some, I will try my best to assist you at defeating them.
“Welcome one and all, to the city of Nerosyan. I am Jorsal, Venture-Captain of Starrise Spire. I know you all have questions about why you’ve been sent here, and I intend to spend the evening answering those questions".
“I shall start by telling you why the Society has sent so many skilled agents to Mendev. Intrepid agents recently uncovered information that points to a startling find in the old nation of Sarkoris, now known as the Worldwound. These agents have discovered that a dwarven Sky Citadel, one of the rarest sites on the planet, rests within the Worldwound. It is known to us as Jormurdun.
“It is the will of the Decemvirate that we should come together and find the exact site of thi—”
The speech is interrupted by a distant explosion and the sounding of war horns!
Without missing a beat, the venture-captain jumps into action. Jorsal himself comes over to you, “My friends, it appears the city is under attack by a force of demons from the Worldwound! How such a thing is possible, I do not yet know, but I do know that this attack cannot stand. Our treaty with the crusaders of Mendev binds us to join the battle. Give me some time to rally our agents as best I can, and in the meantime I trust you to pick where your skills can best be put to use. Go forth into Nerosyan or hasten to the skirmishes outside its walls, and aid where you can. I shall summon you again when I know how to best combat this enemy.”
He nods at Ka'atib who simply smiles and runs off to do gods-know-what.
"Here, take this map! Defend the city! Anywhere!"
The party hustles over to the Battle District to lend a hand. Amidst the raging combats taking place throughout the Battle district, a lone junior Pathfinder approaches, identifiable as one of Jorsal’s assistants from the Starrise Spire.
“Greetings! Venture-Captain Jorsal had me looking all over for some more experienced Pathfinders, and it looks like you’ll have to do! There’s a meeting of some senior crusader officials at a command bunker in the district. They’d like to have some Pathfinder advisors present, so that’s who Jorsal had me looking for. Come on, I’ll take you there right away!”
As you ponder how the Venture-Captain could have possibly made it over here and given orders so quickly, the assistant leads you to a command bunker to represent the Society and assist with the coordination of the city’s defense. A delegation of senior representatives from different groups in the city is in attendance, each member barking out orders to runners and guards.
Inside is a quartet of figures who introduce themselves:
Gudrun Mazrarad is a dour female dwarf who coordinates the local militia and town guard.
Aline Valerys is a Taldan woman barely over 18 years of age, who keeps to herself.
Dermont Tabecland is an imposing Taldan man garbed in full plate, sporting various icons of devotion to Iomedae.
Salantris an elven wizard who has brought together a ragged host of soldiers from the scattered magical academies of the district.
The all ask you about the situation outside. Before you can answer though, a lowly squire rushes in to announce the capture of a group of demon sympathizers who were waiting for specific orders from the bunker! "That means someone inside the bunker is working with the demons. Indeed, one of them is possessed by a shadow demon!"
Immediately everyone looks at each other, and then at you. The four already in the bunker begin shouting at each other until they hit upon an idea, "You agents. You can't possibly be the demon. We grant YOU the authority to figure out which one of us is compromised!"
All eyes turn towards you...
"That sounds reasonable." They all agree to this. Jair knows that a demon who has possessed a mortal is a different creature entirely than a demon here and now. Though she remembers a couple of points
She has a hard time reading the group, but she does feel like the four of them are okay with individual interrogation.
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
Pathfinders have struck a blow against the invaders in the Battle District
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As soon as he heard about a demon being there, Reg’s keeping his bow in hand; expecting trouble.
Answering Darven, Reg indicates “I don’t have holy water in my backpack”.
Then, follows with “we could interrogate them and see if we find anything suspicious.” Looking at Laila for a moment, he also adds “We could also let Laila smell them, the demon might have a particular odor.”
Dermont rattles them off rapid fire. Dermont continues on to include a cogent recollection of the various Acts. Helios is comfortable with the answer....
Gudrun Mazrarad: ?
Aline Valerys: ?
Dermont Tabecland: Confident that he's safe
Salantris: ?
Indeed, the dwarf has been sitting on a stool the entire time sharpening an axe to a razor's edge. She looks it over, and touches a few specific places on the weapons.