The group of you have been summoned to the Starrise Lodge in Nerosyan, capital of Mendev. While the Worlwound has been closed something is clearly up to bring such experienced Pathfinders to town. Rumour has it that Venture Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury himself is handling things and you are waiting to see him.
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Fendahl, appears to be a half-elf with a hint of wild in his appearance, especially his silvery hair and sideburns. His katana and blue dragonhide armor are covered with markings from the far East. A emblem of a golden lion on the chest plate.
Looking remarkably similar to the emblem, a large lioness follows Fendahl closeby, watching for commands or an occasional treat from his companion.
He bows to the dwarf. Hail and well met, Master Rogar. I am honored to work with you and your earthly companion. Fendahl Silvermane, and this is Kirrah waiting patiently as ever.
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A tall man with scraggly brown hair and wearing red robes enters the room. His form occasionally flickers to match that of another race, seemingly at random. "Hello, all. Venture-Captain Valrar, at your service. For lack of a better name, here's the Ambassador. Keeps me in check on the off chance I'm listening." Valrar jerks his head in the direction of a little cloud of gas and gemstones. The learned can easily recognize it as a paracletus aeon.
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The little gnome darts into the room. ”Sorry everyone, running a bit behind. Had some new duties that came up suddenly! It nice to see everyone,” she says as she shrieks and hugs Valrar around the neck. ”Good to see you again, buddy. That was quite a doozy last time, eh?”
She was clearly a spellcaster as she didn’t have any armor, and no real weapons to speak of. ”I’m Alie,” she explains, stopping to stare at Fendahl and his well behaved lion.
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"Hello there! Hasn't been too long," Valrar grins. "Here's hoping whatever we're up to now isn't bigger than last mission. Not sure how that could be."
The human nods at Fendahl approvingly. "Alie seems the type to like everyone. But she's still a great judge of talent. Good to see you've worked together." Valrar turns back to Alie. "And here I was thinking something bad befell our samsaran friend. See the similarities? Big guy, big strong cat...?"
Not likely getting much agreement, Valrar looks to Rogar. "Good to meet you. I like dwarves, grew up with them. Never was one for elementals, but I've only ever fought 'em. Fred should be fine by me."
The group gather together in the office of Venture Captain Jorstal. He stands behind a desk covered in papers and maps. Greetings Pathfinders, he says. Over his shoulder, the tortured landscape of the Worldwound broods in the distance. I hope you all are well. This mission promises to be challenging, even for agents of your caliber.
Turning to Valrar and Fendahl he bows, Your efforts in dealing with the Worldwound are well known to me. You have my sincere thanks for your work. This mission however will test even your resolve.
As you have likely heard by now, The Fifth Mendevian Crusade is over, at long last. With support from countless crusaders, including considerable assistance from the Pathfinder Society, a group of heroes has managed to seal the Worldwound. As a part of their charge through the Worldwound and into the Abyss, they slew a host of demons, most notable among them the demon lord Deskari. With the imminent threat of invasion gone, many of the holy warriors who served here have returned home. Mendev is still dealing with a continuing effort to clear out the Worldwound’s remaining demons, which is plenty of work to keep our crusaders busy. Yet danger remains—some opportunistic demons seek to seize upon pieces of the power vacuum left in Deskari’s wake.
One such demon is the glabrezu Koth’Vaul, also known as Lying Horns. No doubt some of you are familiar with his vile history. His machinations have plagued the Pathfinder Society for years. The demon was a lead mastermind behind the siege of Absalom. It was his foul magic that granted unholy resurrection to the corrupted Venture-Captain Thurl, another great enemy of the Society. We recently brought Thurl to justice, but so far Koth’Vaul has eluded us.
Now it seems that Koth’Vaul is picking at the seams of the Worldwound. Our scouts and diviners report that the glabrezu and his followers ventured into the Worldwound several days ago and tore open a portal leading to the Abyss. We can only guess at what his intentions are. Needless to say, the Pathfinder Society greatly desires to settle the score with Koth’Vaul and put a stop to whatever he is planning. Your task is track the demon through the Worldwound and into the Abyss beyond. End his miserable existence once and for all.
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"Koth'Vaul...I vaguely recall meeting him, quite some time ago. He won't be missed. And we're to go to the Abyss to ensure it? Very well. I've never been, and killing demons is good. With him in mind, I assume there will be nuance, but not from the outset. Until he starts to play his games, this should be straightforward." Valrar racks his brains in search of pertinent questions.
Our divinations indicate that the portal leads to the Rasping Rifts, which is the realm of the slain demon lord Deskari. It is an endless maze of chasms and rifts filled with swarming insects. Few mortals have ventured there and returned to tell the tale. In addition to hordes of demons, it is also inhabited by giant insects, mosquitoes big enough to drain a person dry, and terrible Abyssal constructs called retrievers.
As for Koth'Vaul, it is uncertain what his plans are, but so far all his schemes have been subtle and difficult to detect. The fact that he has shown himself so openly suggests that he is preparing for a major strike. Our diviners were careful not to delve too deeply, as Koth’Vaul has used divinations against us in the past. There is a good reason that glabrezus are also called treachery demons. Be cautious as you follow the demon’s trail and do your best to discern his true purpose.
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At that moment a scrawny looking fellow wearing an absolutely hideous mask comes swooping through the door, and by swooping I mean flying erratically, screaming with glee. Though his course looks chaotic, he does seem to be managing the tight turns with skill if not sense.
"Bauble here!" he yells. Realizing he spoke in his native tongue of goblin, he repeats himself in common, perhaps even louder. "BAUBLE HERE NOW! What's mission? More deadly dead that need dying? P'raps some flying fiends that need frying? Bauble has nice big fire bomb spells for frying!"
The group put their heads together. The Ambassador projects various disturbing images on the Rasping Rifts, a disgusting region of the Abyss which was once the realm of the demon lord Deskari.
The images shift to show giant glabrezu demons, massive blood stained pincers seizig their enemies and crushing and tearing them to death. Weapons and spells splash uselessly against them.
In the background, scuttling spider constructs tear and shred their enemies with many claws while blasting foes with devastating blasts from their eyes.
Strongly Evil-Aligned: Creatures that are not evil-aligned take a –2 penalty on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma based checks.
Strongly Chaotic-aligned: Creatures that are not chaotic aligned take a –2 penalty on Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma based checks.
Enhanced Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities with the chaotic or evil descriptor function as if their caster level were 2 higher than normal.
Impeded Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities with the lawful or good descriptor function as if their caster level were 2 lower than normal.
Glabrezu are powerful demons. In common with most they are immune to electricity and poison and resistant to acid, cold and fire. They have moderate spell resistance and their bodies shrug off blows except from weapons blessed by the powers of good. Their vision penetrates all deceptions and if they strike with both of their pincers they can tear flesh.
Retrievers are constructs built to hunt and kill demons. Their bodies continually repair themselves and they can climb and skitter across water. Their powerful bite can grab opponents and they have multiple claw attacks. They can fire dangerous beams of energy from their eyes, striking enemies up to 100' away. These rays do not provoke and can be fired as a free action. The rays can do fire, cold or electricity damage or petrify their victims! Each type can only be used once every four rounds.
Jorstal nods in approval as you discuss the various issues you face. Very well, I have lots to do. Take the rest of today to prepare, meet me back here at first light tomorrow. I have arranged for you to be teleported into the Worldwound near to the portal Koth'Vaul opened.
The group gather together in the courtyard of the Starrise Spire. From above floats down an enormously fat man swathed in multicoloued silk, green, yellow, magenta and gold. He carries a large silver platter covered in many different pastries. All around you Pathfinders busy themselves with the morning tasks.
Good morning all, I understand that you are the suicide squad being sent into the Worldwound. No doubt you will manage things handily but I wouldn't go where you lot are off too. Now, gather round, Jorstal has asked me to teleport you into the Worldwound and I don't want to leave anyone behind.
He floats around the group, pushing you closer together. He pauses at Kirrah and sighs, Really, giants cats as well as Pathfindes. Hang on, I know I have what I need somewhere here, he starts to dig around through many different pockets, Come on, where was that thing Farhana loaned me. Aha, here it is! he shouts, producing a short wooden wand. Right, are you all ready? Everyone has teleported before yes, no-one is going to be sick on arrival?
Without waiting for an answer he quickly mutters an incantation and the bustling Lodge grounds are replaced with the eerie, rolling hills of the Worldwound. The silence is deafening compared to the noise of the city. The grasses sway in a light breese but there are no signs of life, no birds, no insects, nothing.
The silence is shattered by the sound of the enormous fat man stuffing half a dozen pastries into his mouth.
Mffffppllll he mutters, gesturing to the north. Taking a big swallow he continues, Sorry about that, the portal is about a mile to the north. Good luck Pathfinders, try not to die. With that he quickly casts another teleport spell and vanishes. All that remains is an empty silver platter.
Heading north you approach a gaping chasm which rends the ground, a blood-red glow emanating from its depths. The rocky walls of the chasm are blanketed with buzzing locusts, and the sickly sweet scent of rotted fruit fills the air. An armored figure is lying in a pool of blood near the edge of the chasm.
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The group cautiously approach the crumpled figure, alert for any potential trap. As you get closer it is clear that he is armoured as a crusader. He rouses himself a little and gasps, Help... you must stop the demon. I tried to slay him but was struck down. He is searching for Riftcarver... a legendary weapon. He wants to use it... to open portals... summon demons.
The wounded figure lets out a hacking cough, he is clearly sorely injured.
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Bauble grabs the silver platter and stuffs it inside his armor as extra protection. Seeing the others approach the man, Bauble makes a suggestion.
"Fiends are tricky things. Poke him first."
Bauble stays at least 50' from the tricky demon, casts a heightened awareness from his wand and begins eyeing him warily.
As Alie approaches the man and draws her wand his head raises slightly and he croaks, You must find the weapon. Only Riftcarver can kill Koth’Vaul. It is guarded... the belly of a demon-beetle... the Eternal Hive... near the ruins of Deskari’s castle. Use its power... to kill Koth’Vaul.
With that he slumps back down to the ground and goes very still.
The Ambassador projects a variety of images into everyones mind. A mighty scythe wielded by the demon lord, spreading infection with every blow, causing the ground to shake and tearing open portals between worlds. In the background rises the enormous shell of a massive beetle whose innards act as a troop transport. In its mouth stands the Eternal Hive, a mass of hyper intelligent insects which form a roughly humanoid shape.
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Bauble is not much of a planner.
"OK. We go now?"
Black Lord: Don't forget to collect as much loot as you can from the dead man. You still owe me a Scabbard of Vigor.
Bauble: Blacky not need scabbard. Already very sharp and always stays with Bauble.
Black Lord: Don't call me that. I hate that name. And if you want to get ANY sleep you WILL get me that scabbard of Vigor.
Bauble seems terribly unconcerned about the dead man, but it terribly concerned about the loot and sifts through the dead man's belongings. With detect magic of course.
Fendahl tries to save the man with the wand but the spell simply fizzles out without any effect.
Examining the body reveals no more information. Bauble checks over the corpse. He wears non magical platemail and his backpack is clearly packed for a long journey with mundane equipment. Any magical equioment the man possessed has already been removed.
Fendahl will share an extended long strider and bark skin with Kirrah as he rides the lioness.
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Bright ideas and Bauble do not exactly go together. He is smart but rather foolish. His 'plans' inevitably involve fire and lots of it. In fact...
"Go find big bug and burn it to ashes, then we get sword and fight mean demon that does not burn."
He seems a bit offended that the demon does not burn, or, more accurately, does not burn well.
Note: I have the saddle on Kirrah , not Fendahl.
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”Well, does anyone else have any bright ideas? Do we try to go recover this weapon? What do the rest of you think?”
"I think," States a coldly mellifluous voice - that a few of you recognize! - a short distance behind you, "I could use some more TIME with our...gracious greeter."
Almost literally floating toward you is a handsome but disquietingly thin Elf, with a mane of glossy black hair and eerie opalescent eyes set in bluish-tinted skin, dressed in dynamically-colored and rather avante-garde Osirian finery. There is something singularly strange about observing his movement, as though multiple moments in time sometimes appear simultaneously visible, and others may also feel like there are the barest fractions of moments when he might not be there at all. To top it all off, perched on his shoulder is a midnight-colored, cat-sized, scorpion-tailed dragon, itself carrying a harness brimming with wands.
"Speaking of which, I am Vladek Odradek, and this is Qadathra...but I see some of you may already know that," he says as he looks around with a gentle but strangely unnerving smile.
Greetings don't last long, though - he moves right past you and heads straight for the late crusader, an intent expression on his face.
The little dragon introduced as Qadathra hops off Vladek's shoulder and stands at the head of, while Vladek himself leans beside and over, the deceased, which Vladek dusts with a handful of finest Osirian natron; there is a sense of time ceasing to pass (although it does, and for a full 10 minutes) as Vladek then just stares at the body - those who chance to look into Vladek's eyes see fantastic, terrible, and seemingly impossible vistas reflected in their unbroken opalescent surfaces, moving at lightning speed.
Finally, the deafening silence is broken as Vladek speaks:
"Hail and well-met, Sir Knight. Any further information you can provide would be a fine service to us. To start: What more do you know of the weapon Riftcarver?"
The body of the crusader stirs briefly, a wisp of dark smoke escapes his lips along with a long, drawn out sigh.
The mighty blade of Deskari, demon lord of locusts
The body stirs again, Enter the chasm, follow Koth'Vauls trail, it lies somewhere within the Rasping Rifts but it moves within the great beetle.
The body stirs again, The great beetle, its carapace is nigh impenetrable to harm, its interior is deadly acid but vulnerable. Beware its snapping jaws and its pounding legs that shake the ground.
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Fendahl bows in greeting to his friend and associate Vlad and Qadathra. Kirrah purrs as well.
”It seems are paths are to coincide once again. Your expertise will serve well on this planar trip, More-so than my understanding of the natural order of things. “
Fendahl listening intently to the fallen knights responses.
” A most honorable death he has achieved despite failing his quest.“