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The Iomedean paladin smiles to Davina, and rises, straddling her chair. From a pouch at her belt, she pulls a well-worn pamphlet, its leather cover shiny in spots and the corners are dog-eared. "Much of what you need to know can be gleaned from Her, and this copy of the Acts may help you in times of need. There was one time that these very writings allowed us to defeat the demons directly." This she hands to the other younger paladin, and while standing, she reaches across to Avelina.
She shakes the proffered hand with her own gauntleted one, and then holds a moment. "I know you wish to make your mark, Highness, but do learn what you can. The Pathfinders have for centuries been facing the evils of the world, and strive to teach the newer ones what they can. I have learned much of tools that I need. Sometimes the smallest enemy can be the deadliest." There's a muted clatter as she sits again, but at her throat shines what must be a swarmbane clasp, holding her warm-weather cloak in place.
Then she nods with a smile to Ser Duncan. "Good to see you here. All who wish to make Golarian a better place are welcome. Those who follow Rhon's kind's Father are some of the most stalwart fighters I have met."
She looks again to the bar, and then calls out in a voice to be heard on the battlefield. "Barkeep, a round for the House! We are celebrating good friends and companions today!"
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"Oh, make no mistake, Dear Crusader; I plan to learn a great deal so that I may teach those demonic obscenities a thing or two about the power of those that walk the Path of Radiance!" She swings her wand about like a child's sword.
She pauses, returns to a proper posture, and clears her throat. "I shall certainly keep an eye out for small things." As she stands in apparent calm, her eyes start darting about the floor, as though a vescavor swarm could arise at any moment.
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Bree-Bran raises a brow as she looks from Avelina to her companion and back again, a grin gracing her attractive face. "My good sir, you did indeed make a most delightful pun. Your 'brothers' were, in fact, 'in arms'!" And, she leans back, letting out a roar of a laugh. Hands go to the back of the chair in front of her, to steady herself as she finally calms. Eventually, she brings out a purse to count out money for the round she had called for.
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Rhon looks back and forth between Aldoz and Bree-Bran just now realizing that he may have been involved in a joke and a not so good one at that. He lets out a half hearted chuckle to cover the lack of humor.
Rhon flags down a waitress "If you would please be so kind as to bring us something to eat." After the waitress leaves "I'm going to need a bit of food if we keep ordering more ale."
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A lithe figure encased in aggressively styled, gleaming mithril armor bedecked with cold iron spines strides into the temple. Its helmeted head scans the room with faint red glowing pinpricks visible through a dark T-shaped slit, the whole helmet framed by fiendish horns curving from the top down towards the chin. Draped from under the spiked left pauldron are scarlet and black robes that hang to mithril-booted feet. The robes have just starting to fray at the edges, and a glaring eye formed into the breastplate peeks out from over them. The leather bandoleer and straps show signs of years of hard use. Resting atop the robes is a simple adornment; a small iron longsword in a a sunburst formed of iron nails.
This is the meeting place of the Silver Crusade. I am here to petition for membership.
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A lithe figure encased in aggressively styled, gleaming mithril armor bedecked with cold iron spines strides into the temple. Its helmeted head scans the room with faint red glowing pinpricks visible through a dark T-shaped slit, the whole helmet framed by fiendish horns curving from the top down towards the chin. Draped from under the spiked left pauldron are scarlet and black robes that hang to mithril-booted feet. The robes have just starting to fray at the edges, and a glaring eye formed into the breastplate peeks out from over them. The leather bandoleer and straps show signs of years of hard use. Resting atop the robes is a simple adornment; a small iron longsword in a a sunburst formed of iron nails.
This is the meeting place of the Silver Crusade. I am here to petition for membership.
The stately appearing dwarf gestures to you. "Come have a seat, doff your helm, and join us. No need seek permission to join. We accept all those who wish to do good for others in this world and beyond." Rhon returns to the food, drink, and good conversation with the others gathered around the table.
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"AH!" Avelina jumps at Wintrish's mass of cold iron spines. She holds her hand to her chest as she tries to calm her breathing. "Goddess! Do not sneak up on people like that! It is...not proper." She quickly takes in Wintrish, and she draws one of her wands, brandishing it at him. "What servant of evil dares assault the very bastion of good and righteousness here." She glances away in thought. "An antipaladin! Yes, the armor gives it away! Now, what foul deity of evil could motivate such a dastard to--" Her eyes fall on the symbol on Wintrish's robes.
"Oh."
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Valeria takes off her helmet, revealing blue face covered in scars and tattoos and small spines sticking up over red glowing eyes.
I've served three masters for far too long: My Lady the Inheritor, Lictor DiViri, and Paracountess Dralneen. I have ffulfilled my final duties to the last, in delivering the villain Tancred Desimire live, to her feet, bound in the manacles sshe gifted me upon her rescue. But now she no longer serves the interests of law or of my fair homeland, and so Iomedae has guided me here.
She drops to a knee and bows her head. Her tail snakes out from beneath her robes, revealing a brilliantly glowing tattoo of Iomedae's sword which lights up the room. She draws he sword and presents it, pulling out a small figurine of an axebeak in devilish armor and presenting it in her other hand.
And so I pledge my sword, myself, and my noble steed Kantaria to the service of the Silver Crusade.
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"Are all of The Inheritors Servants so quick to judge upon looks and outward manner?" says the heavily accented voice of the Irrisen Noble, who somehow managed to "sneak" in while the Hellknight distracted everyone along side the armored bear that accompanies him everywhere. Encased in armor made from a thousand overlapping disks of Obsidian as black as midnight and heavy furs from a dozen beasts, a club set with many animal teeth at his side and his helm in his left hand. White blue tinged hair and pale skin readily giving visible notice of his perhaps distant but still dominant heritage as one of the descended of the Witch Queen Baba Yaga."Good comes in many shapes and sizes and the purity of ones heart is not worn upon ones sleeves like bright letters ,and alas it is not so or fighting evil would be a much simpler task"
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She flails her hands about, any semblance of composure gone. "He just snuck up me, that's all! In my surprise, my finely-honed battle instincts took hold."
She clears her throat and straightens her back. "I have lived my whole life a day's ride from a hole to Abyss full of vermleks, succubi, and glabrezu; I fully understand the disconnect between appearances and reality." She holds up a golden badge with her full name on it--"Avelina Theodosia Iomedae Rydell Cecilia Galfrey". "Do you know why we carry these badges? I cannot begin to describe how common it is for a devoted warrior of light to go on patrol or become separated and to be replaced by some manner of vile shapeshifter!"
"I certainly have no prejudice against these Hellknight people." She waves towards Wintrish. "Why, I have even seen these men and women in-service to Auntie many times. Order of the Good Cause or something like that." Her eyes glimmer with an idea. "In fact, let me show you!"
She draws a cold iron longsword that looks the very image of Iomedae's holy symbol. She stands before the kneeling Wintrish and places the flat of her sword on each of the knight's shoulders. "In the name of Iomedae the Inheritor, Goddess of Righteous, Valor, and Justice, I welcome you to this company of holy warriors, the Silver Crusade."
She sheathes her sword. "I am certain dear Ollysta would be fine with me doing the induction."
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Valeria smirks at Vadim's comment and stands.
Thank you, Avelina. I don't fault you for your vigilance. The armor is quite effective at its job of sowing fear into the hearts of the unrighteous.
She sheathes her sword, slips her tail back under her robes, and places her axebeak figurine on a table as she takes a seat.
You may have even seen me in service to Mendev, though I don't think you look familiar. I was in Nerosyan during the demon horde's attack, and I took up sword against their vile attack. Just recently, I seized that filth Desimire from the heart of the Worldwound.
Valeria runs her gauntleted fingers over the sunburst of nails on her holy symbol. The gauntlet has a white cloth trailing from it embroidered in gold with yet another Iomedaean holy symbol. I've been trying to rally more troops from the Order of the Nail to assist in the defense of Mendev. It's the premiere place to fight against the ravening hordes of chaos, to defend a shining bastion of civilization against the darkness. Blademistress Vox seems to support the cause, and the Lictor has allowed me and several other Hellknights our own leave, but he's yet to throw in his full support. There are threats to the settled, good-hearted, law-abiding citizens of Golarion creeping through the shadows the world over.
She gives Avelina a nod. And we get back to being ever-vigilant.
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"I should introduce myself ,no need for me to be rude even by accident and as I seldom see chance to be in civilized ports such as this"he shrugs and stands back up with an ever so small bow in his heavy stone armor " I Am Silver Crusader Vadim Pavolovitch,Companion of Medved of Gozreh the Balance Bringer, Lady of the Oceans and Lord of the Sky. Son of Illyana Chillblight ,Countess of Irrisen. Rebel and Herald of Summer's Return. Brother to the Mammoth Lords of the Snowmask Tibe, Pirate Bane, Traveler of the Tapestry of Hao Jin, Delver of Bone Keep, Wrestler of The Ice Trolls of Irrisen and The Werewolves of Ustalav, Veteran of the Siege of Nerosyan, Reclaimer of the Sky Citadel of Jormurdun, and Savior of Crystalcrag"
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Rhon stands and moves to formally greet Vadim. "Greetings sir. I am Silver Crusader Rhon Delver son of Rald Delver, Lance Corporal in the Eagle Knights of Andoran, Brother of the Snowmask Tribe in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, Veteran of the Siege of Nerosyan, Legend of Urglin, Faithful priest of Torag, and Defender of my people and their communities.
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Valeria eyes Vadim and Rhon with what seems like a bit of effort, then glances at her Wayfinder and shrugs.
Well met, sirs. Hellknight of the Nail Valeria Wintrish of Westcrown, daughter and former heir of Baron Marcianus Wintrish. Favored of House Thrune and of Magnimar, Defender of Nerosyan, Savior of Nesting Swallow, Runeslayer. By the grace of the Inheritor, Warden to the goodly folk of Golarion against the lawless wilds. Motioning to the axebeak figuring again, and of course the brave Kantaria, of Shokuro.
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"Deer may not mug you, but a pack of wolves might attempt to rip you apart in your sleep! You will not see that happen in a city." She taps her wand on her chin. "Unless the city is Whitethrone. It barely qualifies as one, though, in my opinion." Her mouth turns up in disgust, and her gaze falls off to the side. "Nothing cads, beasts, and perverts."
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"Wolves do not Hunt like that"he laughs"Those you call Savages usually are only responding to what they see as an Invasion of their homes, Cannibals are a thing that comes from Degenerates of Civilization exiled from Society and Monsters much like Cheliaxian's usually claim to be their on civilizations"
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We need to take the initiates on a few camping trips I see. Wolves generally wish to be left alone and know that humans are more trouble than they're worth. If you put your food up in trees overnight you'll be fine. You're safer with a pack of wolves than you are in most of the inns the society will arrange for you... though I think that means we need to get better travel agents.
If you're that worried about it, have someone cast purify food and drink and carry a large amount of meat with you. If the wolves are eyeing you and your horses hungrily , drop the meat on the ground and let them fight it out.
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Avelina shakes her head and her wand. "I do not speak of common, adorable doggies as you do. I speak of the creatures that I know from the Wolfcrags. The wolves there are vile, devious beasts that do anything possible to feast upon the flesh of pure young crusaders. Those Winter Wolves in Irrisen will rip good, honest folk to bits in a moment, too!"
She taps her wand in her palm. "Besides, I would hardly call Cheliax an example of civilization. Anyone that would give his or her soul to the very embodiments of evil is hardly civilized."
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"My Lady Avelina, Agent Vadim, have you been to Cheliax? You seem quick to judge the populace by the actions of a few, decades ago. But a nation is more than its rulers. I think we can agree that there is significant need and opportunity to do good works in my homeland, but the light of the Inheritor still shines upon her own place of birth even through the clouds. There are many goodly folk within our borders, and all find themselves well defended against the predations of the criminals and savages found elsewhere throughout Avistan. Like anywhere, you will find the righteous and you will find scum. Not unlike Mendev, with holy crusaders alongside legions of the lowest of the low templars, there by any means but choice. But you speak of 'being civilized.' You know that you can trust a Chelaxian to uphold her end of a contract, for better or worse. Is civilization not built upon social contracts between us all?"
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"I meant to speak in Generalizations to prove my point, Man is infinitely more dangerous and capable of evil then the wilds, I apologize for you are right the Chelish people are in general upstanding people laboring like mine in Irrisen under a evil despotic rule, which is the nature I in this Druids opinion of all civilizations that grow too large and too great for their own good"
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Feesh slips in during the conversation and noted the teacup knife comment. She finds a seat and with empty teacup proceeds to fail at being able to do simple knife tricks with it. "Heyo all, how goes it?
I am getting much better with the healing magiks and I think I am getting better as cleric as well. Did I miss something?" the short halfing asks as she looks about.
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"Welcome back Feesh. Pull up a seat and join us for good conversation and a drink." Rhon gestures to a nearby empty chair and signals the barkeep for another round at almost the same time. "As you can see we have had several new members join us recently. I will allow them to introduce themselves to you."
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"Why, hello to you again, Feesh!" Bree-Bran looks to the girl practicing tricks with her teacup. "Glad to hear you and your Goddess are getting along and learning one another. Though the Song of the Stars can be a little flighty, her heart is good, and the well-being of folk is her intent."
The paladin looks the Hellknight up and down, taking her measure, and then gives a nod. "I too am from that land. I came away to learn how to deal with the world, and have since found my true calling. I have heard good things of your Order, though I haven't had a chance to visit Korvosa recently."
"Well met, Vadim. I have been to the Lands of the Mammoth Lords, but not to your homeland. Perhaps the Society will see need of me there in the future."
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Feesh smiles to Valeria and Bree-Bran. She then slides her hand along the bandolier filled with mostly obsidian dagger till her fingers find the little wooden symbol of Desna. Holding it up to show she says "Desna, aye we be getting along fairly well. I have been to the top of the world...well almost it was a place called Tony's Noggin...wait um Antonio's Crown I even left the mark of Desna there. That was a interesting trip" Feesh ponders a moment and then pulls out a lump of metal. "Got a question for those more knowledgeable than I. I gots here this piece of star sky metal called dogbrix...er that isn't right um first part sounds like dog in Tien I was told, any hows should I drop the coins to gets it made into a dagger? It does have some quirky properties and I am inclines to celebrate the loss of chronic coughing spasms with a gift to myself. The a dagger that passes thru steel and such would be nice, though gots to remember to not parry with it, that would be bad. Well whats all your thoughts on this?" she enquires with a smile.
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Bree-Bran pulls one of the two greatswords from her back, handling it with care, but displaying for all to see. "Inheritance here, it is made of starmetal, the one we would call 'adamantine'. I know little of how it was made, but it is most formidable in battle. Demons aplenty know its bite, and I would face any foe with it in my hand."
She places it back in its sheathe, and looks more closely at the metal. "The dwarves at Janderhoff are quite knowledgeable on forging most any material, and the smiths of Nerosyn would be able to work it, but they are tied up with so much rebuilding and arming the additional crusaders. No, I think you'll find right here in Absalom the right people to do the job. Ask in Master Farabellus' office. They'll know."
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Feesh nods "I have a adamantine dagger, this is a softer metal. I would have Merrick do the work but I feel he is busy currently with his own problems." she puts the metal away and ponders. "I do not want to be fighting demons if possible, though I will if I have to. I have faced spiders recently and a dragon and really huge spider that hmm was the size of 2 horses, heh and the same number of legs. I so wish the mages would create a potion of hide from face eating bugs.
They got hide from undead and hide from mean animals, yet no hide from bugs. Maybe one day.
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"I am sure they will get around to it one of these days Feesh. You must remember though that most of the mages that we meet in the field are merely utilizing the discoveries of others and do not have the time, energy, or willingness to devote great amounts of their time to creating a single spell, even if it may help save someone else's life."
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"The quiet in these halls reflects the frantic nature of our situation, I'm afraid, Master Rhon." Thereus speaks as he closes the front door. "I know I have been traveling nearly non-stop these past few months, from Garund to Mendev and Ustalav and even Qadira."
"Now I find myself back here for a brief respite to receive a commendation as a Silver Crusader from Ollysta Zadrian herself. It seems that despite my honest efforts to remain humble in victory, word of our shared victories in Mendev and beyond have seeped back to these halls. I will nonetheless bear the title with the honor and esteem that it deserves, and it will drive me to represent the cause to my best ability."
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A familiar figure strides into the room with her dwarven retainer.
"Oh, hello again, everyone! Your dear Avelina has returned. My radiant presence was required at a wedding. Providence was clearly at play, as some trouble arose, and only my outstanding holy power was able to resolve the situation."
She taps one of her many Iomedaean sword wands on her palm.
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A slender 5'10" tall elven man walks in with platemail of mithral likeness that appears to have been painted white. A black tabard hangs out from the platemail below and a shimmering guisarme is strapped to his back.
After he reaches the table within the center of the room he bows and introduces himself to those nearby. "Hail. My name is Kysus Arelius, member of the Silver Crusade and Sacred Servant of the great archon empyreal lord Tanagaar, The Aurulent Eye."
"My tasks given by the order of the Silver Crusade and my lord Tanagaar have kept me away from this great hall for some time. Has there been any recent news? I'm quite curious on whether there's been any progress at the Mendevian frontline against the Worldwound."