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Arodus, 4713
Defender of Freedom,
Allow me to be among the first to welcome you back to Absalom following our productive year abroad. When I set sail from Magnimar, the Andoren embassy there was thriving. I cannot say for certain which was more beautiful: the exquisite building we left as an enduring monument to freedom or the teary-eyed people who were so sad to see some of us depart!
Once I set foot in Absalom, I quickly heard not only that there is trouble brewing in Mendev but that the Pathfinder Society has already begun sending a host of agents north. I imagine the society’s move is largely intended to support their expedition to the nearby dwarven ruins, but I know that Mendev will have need of every capable sword arm and spellcaster. Absalom is said to be sending its own soldiers, but I have not yet seen any signs of the military mobilizing. The same persuasiveness that you brought to bear in wooing the Magnimarian people will be of great use in slashing through the red tape that no doubt ensnares this familiar metropolis.
I trust I will be joining the exodus soon, but first it is important that we receive news of Andoran and confirm that our proud nation has done its part in supporting Mendev. I expect to meet with at least one of the Andoren statesmen in a few days’ time, and I would appreciate your accompanying me as we report the past year’s success and learn the past year’s news from home.
Liberty never rests,
Major Colson Maldris
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Colson,
Don't delude yourself. Those ladies were weeping at the loss of income.
(I mean, I just assume you have to pay for it.)
At any rate, I'll trundle along in your wake to patch up the naïve youths you talk into acts of "glory," as always.
I am thankful, as ever, for the freedom we both cherish, which by definition lets me say such things to you, you warthog-faced buffoon.
Your humble servant,
Chuck
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I'm still waiting for the Major to explain his actions. How about it, Major? Are you still going to sleep around, put yourself in embarassing situations, and still order us to go out there and cover up your indiscretions? I'm still awaiting an answer.
And, with respect, I am still waiting for you to decide whether or not you will exercise your own judgement as to which of those tasks you will undertake. The major hasn't given you a single order; he has merely presented you with opportunities, ones which you have freely chosen to accept. The burden, therefore, is yours, not the major's.
A wise man once said, "Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?"
In Liberty.
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An unimposing monk, dressed in pale blue robes, responds quietly . . .
Well spoken, Raven. One of my teachers once told me, "If you don't want to be enslaved by any other, then you must master your own self." As a new recruit to the Pathfinders, I hesitate to give instruction to those who are more experienced than I, and hold positions of authority, but I have found them wise words to live by.
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Astonishingly enough, I agree with Pathfinder Livianna. If we are to fight these scourge of the underworld, we may need to bolster our ranks faster than the recruitment and training of new pathfinders would allow.
Perhaps we should make entreaties to the Hellknights - surely, the scourge that confronts us will confront them, too.
Liberty's blessing be upon you.
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Sichelgaita looks at Nesod. "It does seem familiar, doesn't it? For some reason, images of a floating, ring-shaped city spring to mind. Oh well..."
She shakes her head. "I disagree. No offence meant, Jaleel - these are grim times, and we need to consider all options - but we need to think about the long-term. Letting the Hellknights into our councils and discussions is courting disaster. Besides, their rigidity, their unyielding worship of order above all else mean that they'd never agree to making common cause with *us* - we're far too anarchic for them. In *my* opinion, the Eagle Knights need to get talking with the Silver Crusade - if anyone's equipped for fighting demons, their paladins are. Especially Lady Bree-Bran - talking to her, she seemed quite zealous and eager to face evil."
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The Silver Crusader's almost seem too helpful. I have had a few that tried to insist that certain slavers be brought to justice. It was not taken kindly when I pointed out that certan people were just too dangerous to let live, never mind that most common citizens would rather pay for a funeral than an expensive trial.
The HellKnights are organzed, well equipped, well trained, and may hve ore than a few insights into the slaying of demons. And I would rather lose a few HellKnights than any member of the Silver Crusades.
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"I take your point, Jaleel," Sichelgaita says carefully. "Still..if you don't mind my speaking entirely from my own point of view... Hellknights are disciplined, but they've no sense of humanity or compassion. They'll sacrifice innocents by the score, if it brings them closer to victory. I can easily imagine scenarios where they use innocent civilians as bait for demons. Or where they use *us* for bait - even if they were willing to join with us, they'd only do it because they wanted to use us as meat-shields while they preserved their strength."
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Though I'm loath to admit it, we Eagle Knights do have some common aims with the Hellknights. The sticking points are big ones, sure, but when we're all looking out across the same battlements at a horde of demons... you stop caring so much about the disagreement you had yesterday, even if you're likely to carry it on again tomorrow.
Regardless, I hear there are a lot of Sarkorians still in the Worldwound that need to be freed from the demons that run the place. It'll be an uphill fight, but nobody ever said freedom was easy.
Knight-Captain Sir Galengol Greencloak
of the Andoran frigate Impartial
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Should these demonic hordes continue to press the foothold they currently have, there will be no group or person in the whole of Golarion who will be spared.
The Hellknights may, under normal circumstances, sacrifice the weak for their own selfish purposes. These are not normal circumstances, and I am certain that even they would recognize that some things are more important than person goals, control, or power.
Liberty's blessing be upon you.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Dame Ada Raikes Kight-Captain
"I've never had much issue with the Ca- er Majors Orders. Well, no more so than I have issue with anyone's orders. Hmm, the Worldwound? Time to get the ol' cold iron short sword all majicked up I suppose. That's gunna set me back Say where's a girl find a decent game of cards in Magnimar? I have a feeling there's a few citizens just itching to fund our efforts. I haven't had much personal experience with Silver Crusaders or Hellknights, but if someone wants to step up between me and the spawn of the Abyss, who am I to complain?"
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I've had to kill a shadow demon and more than a few babaus. The babaus learned the hard way that there is a difference between being immune to fire and being resistant to fire.
Glitterdust was my most often cast spell in that encounter.
And stop waving rank and titles about. I only use mine at official functions.
Dame Jaleel Livianna
Knight Captian of the Eagle Watch.
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With all the good Knight Captains about I feel horribly underdressed.
We must remember that only through our working with others can we show them the true values of Freedom and Liberty that our good country has given us. If we lead by example surely others will follow, and especially more in these dark times when the filth of the Abyss walk our material plane.
The best defense against the foul spawn is to kill them before they kill you. I recommend shooting at the same location repeatedly until they dissolve into a fine mist of .. whatever they are made of. Bearington, my Musket has himself slain many a foul Shadow Demon. If you need some pointers, do not hestitate to contact me.
Knight Captain Samuel Revell
One word of warning, good Captain:
Demons from the Worldwound don't disappear into any color of mist. Since they weren't summoned, they just fall unconscious and bleed like any native foe. Make sure to hit them one more time after they fall over, lest they stop bleeding and start healing once you turn your back.
To be fair, though, I do find that if you hit them hard enough, Worldwound demons can disperse into a coarse amalgam of blood and bone and brains. Thank Torag I found a cloak that lets me cast prestidigitation at will! I couldn't afford the cleaning expenses anymore...
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I am new to this sort of life, having worked as a scout for the coastal cities and now a member of the society... i have heard some harsh words of our leadership, time will tell if they are true or no.
For the time being, i will have to judge for myself and have faith in the orders i am given for the benefit of the people.
I know nothing of demons, and likely would want to speak with a field agent whom can instruct me in how to combat them... of course if i am not going to that front so be it. I know exactly where to put my arrows in humanoids.
Free for the people
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"Fighting demons is all about how you fight, and remembering how dangerous they are. A few things you have to be able to deal with, like darkness, and invisibility, and teleportation, and having your spells dispelled..." The tattooed varisian beauty trails off.
"Sorry about that. Spells are how I fight, and the Babaus seem to be able to get rid of magicks over and over again. But, less about me, and more about what's important. How does a scout for coastal cities handle trouble?"
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"well Miss, i generally track and warn the locals of hostile creatures, then work with the military force or citizenry to either deter or destroy those hostile creatures... generally these are either bandits, slavers or evil humanoids. Killing is not something i relish... it is a last resort, but generally when i am called to duty... diplomacy has failed."
"Spells are not in my arsenal as of yet, i use a Longbow and from what i have heard thus far... cold iron arrows for demons."
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'I doubt if any Pathfinder relishes the act of killing,' the one-eyed Paladin observes. "But when what we do saves innocent life...yeah, it's still not something you relish, but you can at least know you've done right by the people who put their trust in you to defend them. Done right by them, done right by your comrades, done right by the gods... If you can honestly say that, then you can be content. As to the more practical side...cold iron, and trust the words of our magical experts,' this last with a nod to Sheliantha.
[OOC: God, it's been a while since I posted here. Ah well, that's RL for ya. RL...and deadlines. Many deadlines.]
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~Liran Ver'Ha~
"Most pathfinders do not relish killing?" The tall and fair haired elf laughs rather heartily.
"I have had to place my shield between a new acquaintance and a member of my adventuring team on a couple of occasions. To protect the acquaintance. Many Pathfinders I have found do not take our views of justice and protection to heart."
Liran smiles at the one-eyed paladin, "Luckily, when it comes to demons, the enemy of my enemy and all that. I have fought side by side several Chelexians to kill demons so far. Let me tell you. In the face of those beasts, even the Chelexian dogs are a happy companion."
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~Liran Ver'Ha~
Leaning over to the young half-elf, he gives a friendly smile before saying, "It was a chuckle at the irony of the statement. I have found many of the Pathfinder Agents I travel with seem to relish the killing far more than the exploration or knowledge. Sad for a society whose purpose is to explore, rather than murder. Combat should always be the last option, remember that my young friend."
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"Sichelgaita was sincere in her expression there, albeit perhaps naive. Many of us don't want to hurt others; I for one would like to find a way to dissuade evildoers with sense and reason." Then there's another heavy sigh from the sorceress covered in tattoos.
"I find that with creatures inherently evil, such as those from Hell or the Abyss, talk isn't all that productive. When talking fails, and innocents are in danger, then those like my friend Sichelgaita will do what they are so skilled at, and lay low foul demons and the like. That's what she means about 'not relishing the killing'. Others are much more interested in testing their own prowess and find demons to be convenient adversaries, with no issues caused by the slaying of the foul creatures."
Sheliantha looks off into the distance and croons softly to herself, a tune out of date even in Varisia.
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Zirul Nods lightly.
"I can understand creatures born of the stuff of the lower planes, i have heard talk of devils among the knights. I do believe that such creatures belong elsewhere.. basically i have no problem putting an arrow in there skulls and freeing this plane from there influences. However they are the exception to the rule, or should i know of other exceptions?"
He watches Sheliantha sing.
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She looks back to Zirul, as if returning from a very far away place.
"I believe that Captain Liran has it aright. I have had to dissuade far too many young pathfinders from murder. Killing when there is no need. So when the situation calls for it, many are eager to tear into opponents who by nature or deed have proven themselves a danger to the world and its peoples. I, myself, am not averse to watching demons burn and devils freeze, though as I have said, I would rather convince those who seem enemies to walk a better path." Her smile is rather sad, unlike the one that dazzles that normally adorns her face.
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~Liran Ver'Ha~
The tall elf keeps a small smile as he chuckles at the Tengu's statement.
"If my long life has taught me nothing, it is that we mortals tend to enjoy killing each other, or other things. It is a very primal urge."
Toying with the silver holy symbol of Sarenrea upon his belt, he remarks, "The evils of the other planes though are another matter entirely. I would see them all burn in their own fires if I could. My sister and I have only had a few close calls since this war started, and I can say both were the products of daemons, devils, or demons. If it were not for divine magics my sister possesses and the teamwork of some close compatriots we tend to take jobs with, I feel the fires of those daemons would have charred us to cinders. Keeping them alive was no easy task."
"The evil that breeds in the lower planes, they can be killed without remorse." Liran says, in a slightly more coarse voice, his smile fading.