Its been a long trip, getting all the way to Nerosyan from where you started. For most of you, you've been traveling for what seems like months. Staying in inns ranging from dubious to elaborate... when there was an inn to stay in at all.
As you've traveled, you've met up with other travelers going in the same direction... but as most such long journeys go, those travelers eventually peeled off towards their own final destinations, like small tributaries branching off to feed other parts of Avistan.
Some of those you've encountered have even been fellow Pathfinders, many of whom have also been en route to Nerosyan. By the time you hit Mendev, you've formed a small contingent of your own, all heading to the Diamond City.
When Nerosyan finally does come into view, it is not entirely what you expected. Perhaps due to its evocative nickname, you were expecting glimmering spires of crystals or shining diamond shaped towers, or something inspiring great beauty and wealth. Instead, what you see is a city built for war.
Set at a natural junction where the Egelsee joins up with the northernmost branch of the West Sellen River, Nerosyan more resembles a giant siege fortress, built entirely for defense rather than aesthetics. Walls rise around the entire city, topped with crenelations and dozens of towers, clearly built to ensure defenders can easily pour fire or hot oil on attacking forces. The tops of the walls are covered in sloped roofs cut with arrow slits as if set to ward off aerial assaults.
The city seems different once you're inside the walls as well. Most of the people you pass appear to be soldiers, or mercenaries, or heavily armored crusaders... all of them going about their businesses with serious expressions. The shining sword symbol of Iomedae is prevalent wherever you go, the Inheritor apparently having quite the influence here.
The Pathfinder Lodge in Nerosyan, known as the Starrise Spire, proves easy enough to locate once you realize it is the tallest building in the entire city, rising up towards the sky like it is trying to reach the heavens. It shines with the brightest of lights, even in the dark of night. Clearly 'low profile' is not the favored aesthetic.
There are people everywhere inside, bustling about, setting up for a great gathering of some sort. Other Pathfinders mill about, as if waiting for whatever event is about to happen to get underway, some of them gathering in small groups to chat or venture guesses as to the exact nature of why you were all called here.
The prevalent theory seems to confirm what some of you suspected since you started on your way here, that the Society is gearing up for a serious exploration of some newly discovered ancient ruins of some significance in the area... though what those are seem to still be being speculated on amongst the gathering throng.
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Kargen crosses his arms, looking out at the Pathfinders and crusaders mixing and milling about. He inhales deeply and while he knows it can't be true, he swears that he can smell the evil wafting off the Worldwound and demons roaming the land. The fortress might hold them off, but his mind seemed to think the taint carried on the wind. No more galas or pirate ships. Demon-hunting once again.
The Andoran drops his arms and instinctively his hand goes to his quiver, brushing the tops of the fletchings on his arrows. He adjusts his haversack and walks out toward the growing number of Pathfinders. A company of crusaders passes by and Kargen suddenly felt self-conscious about the length of his hair. He runs a hand through it as he reaches the crowd. "So, anyone know why we're here? Crusaders need us watching their back again?"
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About 20 feet away, moving a small pocket watch through her fingers and nervously clicking it open and closed, Alexandra marvels at the structure around her through the tinted goggles that cover her eyes. Her mind is entranced by the city's defensive capabilities and the intense will of it's defenders.
Wow, redundancy upon defensive redundancy. Clockwork military precision covered in a hard outer shell. This place might actually be as impenetrable as a diamond. Wait, hold on a second. What keeps the demons from just teleporting in? No one else is freaking out so there must be something stopping them. Someone else would have asked that question and figured it out by now but maybe I'll just ask some...
The approach of stomping feet breaks her from her daydream as she just manages to scoot out of the way of the passing company of crusaders but stumbles as she does. It takes a moment for her to regain her composure and check to make sure the illusion from her ioun stone is still making her look human but soon it seems that everything is in order. She hears a question that she has asked herself a few times in her travels here and hoping to blend into the gathering crowd she pipes up an answer.
"I've been wondering that myself. Whatever it is, it must be big. I've never seen this many agents together outside of Absalom."
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Kargen looks behind him at the woman who answered. "Yeah, they must be expecting a war or something." He notes that she seems to be a spellcaster and then spots the symbol of Brigh on her shoulder. A Priestess of Erastil would never dress in such a manner, but Brigh was very different.
Thinking she was a member of the Church of Brigh, he introduces himself. "I'm Kargen. Did you come up from Absolom?"
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Giving a polite bow, she returns the greeting.
“Alexandra, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Kargen. Sadly I haven’t been back to Absalom for a while, they pulled me out of my last assignment in the Darklands. The change of scenery is a welcome one, I’ve had enough of tunnels and the creatures that call them home. How about yourself? What road brought you to this place?”
He seems nice. He holds himself like a soldier and that quiver looks well used. Also bowmen usually have keen vision to match thier skill and I am TERRIBLE at noticing just about anything. Sticking around this fellow sounds like a solid idea.
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The big guy in the blue leather armor with the funny blue facemask and the ... antenna... smiles broadly. His face looks like it was made for smiling broadly, despite the many missing teeth and obviously broken nose.
"Demons are VERY NAUGHTY INDEED! Perhaps their demon mothers DID NOT GIVE THEM ENOUGH HUGS AS CHILDREN! But, listen to me oh great Diamond-y City, for I am EL GARRAPATA and I WILL HUG THEM WITH JUSTICE!"
He notices his friends looking at him, then stops striking his super heroic pose. "Oh hello friends! I am EL GARRAPATA! Hello! The Silver Crusade thought it would BE BEST if I left ABSALOM due to 'INCREASING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND COLLATERAL INJURIES!' Ha ha!" He laughs at Lady Zadrian's funny reasons for sending him off.
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All in green dressed, the elf watched all the scene from a terrace of a good tavern with a stage room. The three people were as new as him in this city. But he likes to see it from upstairs. No doubt that something wrong will break out soon in this land. The sky will cover itself with dusty black clouds smelling fear and steel.
And this expectation was the reason why he came to Nerosyan after his way back from the Tian Xian. The orient had his charm. But he was also glad to be back on the continent.
The city has got quite a lot of people to defend it. But will it be enough? He knows that in each war, we can't only defend, we have to attack to win. Let's see what the Pathfinder's Society has planned at this purpose.
The elf archer stays watching for now. He has something to drink and nothing hurries for now. But for now only...
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Alexandra’s eyes get wide, first with surprise and the excitement.
By the gods it’s him! He’s perfect. I’ve never seen a bigger meat shield in my life! Hands that could crush a coconut and boisterous confidence to match. Perfect for drawing attention away from me and keeping it off. I’ll need to stick close to this one. Not too close though.
“El Garrapata!? Wow. You’ve even bigger than your posters let on. It’s good to see big figures here, fighting the good fight.”
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"Whoa, you're a big 'un." Kargen steps back instinctively. "Yeah, I think I want you on my side if we have to pound any demons."
He glances at the group. "Is this the first time you've been to Mendev? It's as bad as they say, but you can do some real good up here. I came up last year for a few months and worked as an auxiliary to the crusaders. Saw some horrible demons, but killed a lot more. It was satisfying after some of the silly stuff the Society has us do. As odd as it sounds, it's nice to be back where you know you'll really do some good."
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Alexandra shutters a bit as she remembers her missions under Venture-captain Bakten.
"I've never been to the Worldwound before but I have fought demons. I was in the elven nation of Jinin, near Tian Xia. They ambushed us as we were protecting a village and it ended...poorly. Very poorly in fact. If we are here to fight the demons and lets face it...we are, I have learned a lot since then and I have a contingency if my initial method of attack proves ineffective. It's actually very interesting, it's taken months of work to get the project to a place where I don't scramble my own brain from the effort but it will pierce through most elemental protections. It's both frightening and exciting to see how it works in the field. If you've been here before and fought demons that inhabit this area, I'm all ears on whatever information you can share."
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Hearing the conversation coming from the street, the elf is thinking. The demons. He already had to interact with demons. So he remembers these fights, because it wasn't some agreement's meeting. It was on the side of Saringallow. The Pathfinders eradicated the danger there. A lot of adventures followed this. And now will be a new test against the demons. No doubt that the proximity of the World Wound has something to play in this case.
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A gnome, or perhaps some other feybound creature, descends stairs from above. Like El Garrapata, it too is of blue tint though that seems more likely due to the permeating aura of cold that surrounds it than actual pigmentation. Its feet seem to not touch the ground, held ever so slightly above it by water that flows continually before the footfalls of the small creature, whose impassive countenance is only ever so slightly breached by the sight of El Garrapata. My, that is a tall one. The assembled group appears nice enough, so Dax decides introductions are in order. Words flow, like the gentle water through shallow rapids. "Greetings all. I am Dax Rya, I command the forces of elemental water and ice." Dax seems to think that is enough for the time being, then reconsiders. "I also operate a potion and poultice shop in Magnimar, do consider it should your need arise while therein."
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Alexandra meets the gaze of the gnome and curtsies respectfully.
Fascinating. I wonder how that cold effect is maintained? I hope it’s comfortable. I’ll ask about it in a while.
“A pleasure to meet you Dax. Water and ice? That is an interesting kit. I’ve always been draw to the propties and applications of acid myself. I’ve been to the City of Monuments before and I plan to get back when I can and I’d love to know what the name of your shop. “
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Dax smiles, an awkward affair if ever there was one. "Potions and Poultices. I am not the imaginative sort. We are in the Keystone, near the statue of Our Lady of Blessed Waters. We do have more than just potions and poultices, but those are our primary trade." Dax returns the gesture of courtesy with a tilt of the head in acknowledgement.
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"I would not deign to call anyone 'slimy' save perhaps a Grippli. I know many Varisians. I do not know whether your friend is an acquaintance. I seldom associate with others, they tend to... find my presence disturbing." It's not a particularly odd concept, since the ambient temperature in the room was approaching if not freezing by this point.
Dax seems entirely comfortable however, dressed in a loose and flowing mithral shirt, which looks more like a dress on the small gnome. Various gear is also carried in a backpack, but there are no visible weapons or other tools close at hand.
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I slide away from Kargen a bit and rub my hands together nervously.
I don’t know what the Varisians did to make everyone hate them. Maybe I missed the memo. Maybe he’s being chummy with someone and I don’t get it. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“I don’t find you disturbing at all Dax. It is however, a bit cold. I love it and I’m guessing that you do as well, but it is a bit chilly and I sadly didn’t pack my winter coat. I have something that could help with that, I was working on it while I was traveling up here.”
“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.”
Joining you all at your table is a beaming halfling wearing a bandoleer of various alchemicals. "Greetings! I'm Giarra, Giarra Fullen. I've just been assigned to this lodge, and I spent the whole carriage ride here reading up on Mendev and the crusades. After all, I'd never been! I'm really hoping to get a closer look at one of those Rifts out there. A small one, ideally. What about you? Have you been here before? What brings you back?"
Egelsee District to the southeast, Confluence District to the southwest, Woundward District to the northwest, and Battle District to the northeast.
Confluence Tower is geared towards defending Nerosyan from attacks across the two rivers that meet at its base. The tower has held its own
through several riparian attacks from Dread Barges and other Abyssal craft that periodically swarm up from the Sarkora River. At its base is the Crusader’s Quay, a set of military wharves that offer shelter for the small crusader navy in ingenious covered slips.
Located at the eastern point of the Nerosyan diamond, Egelsee tower serves a second purpose as a rapid-response staging area for Nerosyan’s cavalry, which can ride out at a moment’s notice through special large-scale sally ports built into its outer walls.
Almost completely surrounded by the West Sellen river, the Woundward Tower defends the city against aerial assaults. The tower bristles with spyglasses that scan the skies, as well as the most advanced siege engines and the best archers in Nerosyan. The city’s wardstone is housed in this tower, as close to the border as possible.
creatures are revered on Golarion. Each demon lord has a portfolio, similar to that of a deity; however, most demon lords lack many of the powers a true god possesses.
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After taking a seat I pull out a wand from my bandolier and use it to cast Endure Elements on my myself.
Ahh, very nice.
“Hello Giarra, it a pleasure to meet you. This is my first time here but I would also like to study the rifts that allow the demons to enter this world. Learning about these rifts, if such a thing could be done in relative safety, is the only way that this problem will be permanently solved. Well, that’s my theory anyway.”
Giarra nods soberly at Alexandra's assessment. "I know! It's really a shame the Worldwound is so dangerous and awful, otherwise it would be a perfect place to study all kinds of things." Despite her words a fierce light shines from the halfling's eyes. "Of course, no matter what research or expeditions we might want to do, if the Crusade calls, I'll answer."
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I listen intently to the mysterious, serious, and highly knowledgeable elven man who approaches me. Cracking a smile and stifling a bubbling laugh at El Garrapata's mention of property damage, I nevertheless commit the information to memory.
Oh, I'm getting a very noir vibe from this fella. A smart mind and also another bow to add to the mix.
"Ahhh. Yes. I see. Very interesting. Good to know. Ummm, I do have a question though, who are you?"
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Thank you. My name's Styfis. It doesn't tell you anything for sure, but I already fight demons.
In his mind, the elf tried only to be an helping hand. Because Golarion was worth of it.
You seem confident. It's important to stay confident in the battle with the demons.
And nevermind for the so called "property damage". Because Golarion was worth of it.
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The small gnome ponders the question before answering. "I have not very much experience with demons. Most of my encounters have been with water, ice, or within Absalom... or on other planes, I have spent much time on other planes. They seem to suit me." A pause for consideration passes. "There was the time I had to strangle a white dragon to death because it was immune to my ice."
There is little in the way of a hint as to whether the tiny gnome is being serious or not, though it certainly seems like a statement rather than a boast. Given the tiny, frankly frail arms one wonders at how it would be possible.
“Pathfinders, please get settled. I’d like to start in a few minutes.”
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At the mention of a white dragon a sneer rolls across Alexandra's face and she spits on the ground near her feet. When the saliva lands it sizzles violently for a few moments and leaves a small crater as it evaporates.
"Cursed chromatics. Spawns of The False Wyrm. Like demons they delight in destruction, terror, and death. Eliminating such a vile creature can only make the world a better place. Heh, you strangling it to death? Well, that jerk shouldn't have underestimated a gnome."
Giarra looks in awe at Dax, "...Are you... really really strong? How'd you do that?! I mean, I've made myself pretty strong with the right potions - but not Dragon-Strangling strong!"
"Well how about the rest of you? I'm guessing no one else wrestled a dragon, but you've gotta have some good stories. Since we're on the edge of the Worldwound, any good Demon tales?"
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Well, I met them in Saringallow, a small Isgeri town. The demon manifested first through bile that we found anywhere. Fortunately we had someone with us who could channel energy to destroy it. For the rest we equiped us quickly with cold iron weapons to take down the demons behind the bile. Now my experiences there have taught me to recognize signs of demonic influence.
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Alexandra takes a deep breath and removes her goggles. She lowers her voice as she begins quietly speaking.
"I will only talk about this once, but I believe that if we are going to work together I should be honest with all of you."
She swallows hard and almost begins to tremble as she continues.
"As Kargen already knows, I was with a group that was tasked with protecting a village of humans and elves in Jinin, near Tian Xia. I said that the attack went poorly, but that's not the whole truth. As night fell we were ambushed as they silently flew through the air. While one of the creatures distracted everyone a second came around behind us. He hit me so hard that it shattered my spine. From the ground I could see a third descending from the trees and they rest of my group panicking and retreating into the jungle. The three demons started to give chase but I manages to cast a spell and hit one. They did not like that."
I tap my left arm and make a popping sound with my mouth.
"They came back and while one ripped my arm off the other used his claws to move my organs ten feet away from my body. Mercifully, I met Pharasma's embrace shortly after. I was told that this gave my group time to to set up a defense further into the jungle. I was told that the village was freed. I was told that they did not mean to leave me behind."
Alexandra takes out her pocket watch again and starts opening and closing it again nervously.
"I am telling you this because I actually don't know how I am going to react when I see that kind of creature again or if a fight starts to go south. I might freeze up for a moment, I might scream and fly into a rage, but I promise you I will not run away. I will not leave you behind."
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Dax retains an impassive expression, at least outwardly. The gnome's eyes flicker with white, the cold harsh winds of winter swirl in those eyes and though not perhaps so terrifying as the blazing fires of hatred some feel, the cold dispassionate wrath of winter is no less deadly to those it turned its ire upon. "You can rest in the assurance that you will not fall so long as I draw breath, and I have never failed, even when I was left behind atop a mountain and ambushed by a horde of Aspis agents." "I am the balancing of scales. Abadar's will be done as it ever is, but those who wish harm upon others will find themselves... stopped. It may take glacial pace, but we are not so short-lived."
“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!
Agents begin to stream around in vaguely organized chaos, until Venture-Captain Jorsal himself appraoaches 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 turns back before riding off, adding, “Keep an eye out for Venture-Captain Thurl. If he is not already helping, ensure that he’s not pinned down.”
Already, a central command is being set up with a large map of the city. As reports begin to stream in they update it it with the locations of known incursions and the overall status of the district. For now they're all under threat, but none are completely overrun.
Yet.
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Shacking herself from her morose by forcing herself to focus on the task at hand, Alexandra frantically looks around the map.
I don't really know much about defending this city. Or what each district actually does in regards to the city's defense. But I do know that a city under siege shouldn't be surrounded.
"Umm, ahhh...OK. So the docks or the south gate need to be protected. If the city has access to it's docks then any non-combatants can be evacuated and it can receive reinforcements and supplies without the use of teleportation magic if whoever is attacking the city is here for a long siege. The southeast gate has a nice choke point so we could also go there before things get too chaotic."
Within the Egelsee district you are quickly directed to the Cruciform Cathedral, presently serving as a makeshift field hospital. As you arrive, a cleric, Sister Amira, approaches you, with a determined but slightly hollow expression.
“Friends, this surprise attack by the servants of darkness has struck deeper than you know. Hundreds of wounded seek shelter here in the Cruciform, but our supplies are quickly dwindling; we never imagined the demons would penetrate the city walls in such a profound manner. As a result, I must ask a favor.
“Our fastest supplier of medical goods is a man in Pilgrim’s Rest named Zuka. He runs a local inn called the Sovereign’s Rest, and also has a small warehouse out back. The man is far from pious and prefers to be addressed as Sovereign, but he is our only option in such times of need. I can provide you with some money to pay for his latest shipment of medical goods, but the less you have to pay, the better. Sadly, for a man so well connected, he is unlikely to help out of the goodness of his heart."
She gives you a sack containing some 8,000 gold pieces in assorted coins and jewels. "Do you have any questions?"