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Arodus, 4714
Victorious Crusader,
I have received exciting news from the front: Mendev's crusaders have pushed back the abyssal armies and razed several of their strongholds! It is too early to declare that we have won a war, but this is another battle in which we have triumphed. For the first time in a year, it seems Mendev is secure.
Despite the lull, I know that Queen Galfrey will not allow her troops to grow so overconfident that they miss any demonic counterattack.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your contributions. Without the Pathfinder Society's assistance, we might not have won several key battles, including the fight for Nerosyan itself. Tales of our courage shall follow the crusaders home, where these stories will feed the imaginations of a new generation of heroes. This is not lost on the Society's leaders, and in addition to written promises of aid in future causes, I can tell that behind their unfeeling masks, they have witnessed the good that comes from aiding a holy cause—I am certain! Were we only to have another monumental cause to unite the Society! Fortunately, there is no obvious candidate—fortunate because the benefits are not worth the mortal costs. Those who died in Mendev left behind broken families, and some of those who are returning home are finding no home to return to. Crimes on a smaller scale afflict the land, and a host of lesser battles remain to be fought. We must turn our focus homeward to show that we can also be soldiers of peace.
As you travel Golarion, remember that the Society's reputation is not the only thing worth redeeming. A thief may steal to feed her family or to fuel misguided dreams of easy riches, but even one who appears evil is not beyond redemption. Show charity to the needy, and open the eyes of criminals, that they might cast aside their present misfortunes and pursue a virtuous life.
That all may know peace,
Ollysta Zadrian
The Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign begins the Year of the Sky Key, its sixth season of Pathfinder RPG adventures. Keep the words of Ollysta Zadrian in mind, and be on the lookout for opportunities to help the Silver Crusade succeed in its objectives. When the time comes, endeavor to participate in Pathfinder Society Scenario #6-01: Trial By Machine.
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"I write to you as my brother Shat and I are about to embark on a quest to ferret out a murderer in Magnimar. As always, redemption is an important goal in my mind, and I live to serve the Silver Crusade in its worthy goals. May we bring the light of Iomedae and the wisdom of her forebear, Aroden, to all of Golarion!"
Here here Prince Falafel. With Sarenrae at my side and my scimitar in my hand, evil shall be redeemed and this crusade shall move forward.
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A blue skinned gnome with bright, green hair sticking out in all directions wanders in, looks around, and rolls his eyes.
"No wonder the rest of the Society thinks Silver Crusaders are all a bunch of boring stick-in-the-muds. This is how you all celebrate a major victory in Mendev? With solemn oaths and renewed declarations of loyalty?"
"WHERE'S THE PARTY???" the gnome yells.
"Come on, people! Lighten up! We won! At least for now, and at least this battle. Take a moment to congratulate yourselves and each other, and savor the moment. You can go back to being solemn and boring when you prep for the next battle."
Wizzlefarb goes around the room shaking hands and patting people on the back (when he can reach) as he says this.
"I know my own recent trip to Mendev was fairly successful, though maybe not a complete success. We weren't exactly fighting demons, though, unless you count that tiny little one, but I figure any demon smaller than a little gnome like me isn't worth counting", the gnome chuckles at this.
"But we saved the lives of some innocent folks, and made some new friends among the locals in Mendev, so that's a pretty good job, as far as I'm concerned. So YAY ME!" he yells the last part.
"And I didn't even have to draw a weapon once to do it. Not all of us Silver Crusaders are holy, sword wielding paladin types. Some of us wield words more effectively than weapons."
Everyone in the room actually does feel oddly more courageous as he gives his speech, and you realize he's using bardic magic to inspire courage in the assembled Crusaders.
"That and magic, of course. Speaking of which, I highly recommend a scroll of Glitterdust as a great way to deal with invisible enemies, if you know how to cast it. Even if you don't, buy the scroll and hand it to whatever arcane spellcaster the Society happens to send you out with on your next mission. The fact that I had one really helped my team a lot during one recent mission."
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Party time. Celebrating.
"Kelladorf, Yes we may be serious at a moment like this but that is because we are renewing our own pledges of service to the greater good. As for taking a moment to celebrate our accomplishment in Mendev I am all for that. To that end I would like to offer you a mug of some of the finest Dwarven ale and a hardy toast to our victory."
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"Thank you, friend. I'll toast to that!"
The gnome takes the offered mug, and raises it to the assembled Crusaders.
"To Mendev!!! May their country stay demon free forever!"
He takes a drink, then hoists the mug again.
"And to the Silver Crusade! And the rest of the Pathfinder Society! May we help drive the demons from this world, help the orphans, spread some laughter, or whatever else our particular specialties are to help make this world a better place for all people!"
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The gnome raises his mug again.
"To turning bad people into racoons!"
He takes another drink, grabs a spare mug of ale, and hands it to Doyle.
"So how exactly did you do that?"
Its really, really complicated. You have to visualize the person as they are, and the animal... in this case a raccoon you want them to be. You have to know what it is on a fundamental level to BE a raccoon: not just what their fur feels like, having a long striped tail and small delicate hands, gozreh knows thats hard enough as it is, but what it IS to be one. How the world looks through their eyes, the colors faded, every tiny flicker of motion popping into your brain like a warning light, the world impossibly huge around you. Then you have to invision one turning into the other and kind of PUSH the thought itself out and around them and squeeze them with it.
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"Greetings, my dear lady. Although I am not a new member to the Pathfinder Society, I am new to the Silver Crusade.
"For over a year, I have been up north to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, the land of my adopted brothers and sisters of the Snowmask Clan, scouting and reporting back information for the Mendevian Crusaders on events within the Worldwound.
"Once I was a part of Qadira, but they have changed much over the past year. Too much, in fact. And I cannot abide with their joining ranks with the Sczarni. These events have brought upon me a realization: that I must follow the calling of my heart, and join the ranks amongst you. May we together mend hearts and minds of those who have been harmed by the devastation, and try to redeem as many lost souls as is possible. Much in the same way I have been redeemed, I would think."
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Dearest Ollysta,
As I'm sure Auntie told you already, your assistance during the Fifth Crusade has not been ignored. As a reward for your gracious service, my Most Serene and Holy personage will be accompanying you back to the South. With the demonic obscenities contained once more, I wish to take this opportunity to show the rest of the world the Power and Grace of The Inheritor. I am certain you can agree that there is no greater or more appropriate exemplar of The Inheritor than I.
Do not fear for my safety. The Light of the Goddess is always with me, and no villain can hope to triumph against that purity of spirit. I will be traveling incognito as well, though I imagine the clear nobility of my carriage and the overwhelming goodness of my soul will make such efforts moot.
I am certain you are as delighted as I at the opportunity to show the wicked the Inheritor's Path of Radiance. A new Radiant Dawn is coming to the South, and my Blazing Sword shall lead the way!
I Give You the Inheritor's Blessing,
Avelina Theodosia Iomedae Rydell Cecilia Galfrey
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"According to this, you where to be a champion." he spoke softly placing a hand on the fallen warrior. He stood looking about with a smirk.
"Perhaps a purpose will be nice. Lady Ollysta, I will turn those that would harm your crusaders to ash and aid this 'silver crusade' in the place of your fallen crusader." The sound of more kobolds caught the elf's attention. He quickly knelt to the fallen warrior and removed a sheet of loose cloth from the man.
"I'll ensure with this, your sacrifice will inspire..." He took to the road quickly, intending to join the crusade.