Wrath of the Righteous

[Richard Loh]

16th Arodus 4713

My dear beloved Father,

How are you doing in Absalom? I know that in Absalom, fair weather persists, but please do take care, for I am not around to take care of you. I am doing very well in Kenabres! My wife has just given birth to a very healthy baby boy, and I have named him Kendrick Oth Mitiades after you, father. You should have seen his eyes, his blue-green eyes so resemble you, my sire.

Today is the day of Armasse! How glorious it will be to see the gathering of the crusaders once again in fabled Kenabres! The day where we gather commoners and train them together in order to hold off against the demonic hordes! Even though there have been little improvement in the last Crusade, I am very optimistic that eventually we will defeat the demons and send them back to the Abyss!

Yesterday evening, I managed to complete this painting of Kenabres in the sunset with the sun's radiance shining down upon us! Pray be to Iomedae!



I hope that this letter reaches you in good faith. I have also attached a map of Kenabres should you ever come here on your Pathfinder travels though I do know that you are nearing your retirement. A pity I never have had an interest in exploring and keeping old ancient artifacts. Unfortunately, that is also the reason why I left Absalom in the first place!

Anyhow, let's not talk about the unhappy things. I would be very happy dying fighting demons, my sire, rather than risking my life in some old tombs. I hope you understand that. I'll take extra care not to die as I now have young Kendrick to take care of. I'll write you soon again. Regina have her hands full taking care of Kendrick, I shall assist her in this endeavour.

Your son,
Derrick Oth Mitiades

[comradechris]

Demons pouring out of the worldwound!!! I've seen it before!! It's all coming back to me... OMG WE'RE GONNA DIEE~~~~

[Daryl Kong]

While we wait for the righteous adventure to resume, let us take a moment to have our eyes feast on the sight of Shel Kazer. She who has brought Six to Kenabres and has not been accounted for since the demons attacked.



Keep swinging.

[Richard Loh]

17th Arodus 4013

Sire,

It was horrible! I can never forget the scene where our greatest defender Terendelev engaged in mortal combat with the Storm King, the dreaded demonic general of the Worldwound army! Regina and I fled for our very lives as Kendrick started crying amidst the chaos. I was so worried that his cries might draw the demons on our position, but pray be to Iomedae that we remain safe.

We would have sought shelter underground had I not hear the rumours that there are possibly demonspawns from the First. Children of the First Crusade who are tainted by the weird radiations and the chaotic magics of the Worldwound. Also, even if the demons are not around, there are crazy cultists, like Millon for one... I can never forget the day he melted my buddy's face off with his spells. Why, Iomedae, are there such crazy people around? We should work together to stop the demons, not have the demons conquer us! My heart is starting to lose its faith in your strength, Iomedae. Please, send me guidance, for I am clinging to my faith on sheer strength of will alone. I have always been pious to you, so may you protect my family as I do protect your faith.

I will attempt to seek protection in the Defender's Heart. I heard that there are many survivors there. Hark, I hear voices coming from the streets now. Thankfully, Kendrick has fallen asleep due to exhaustion. Let's hope he remains quiet for now. I will write when I can. Pray for me, my father.

Derrick Oth Mitiades

[Daryl Kong]

The Survivors learnt that the only way out was through hostile territory occupied by the evil Cult of Baphomet.
The following futuristic scene was reenacted based on the true story of what really happened. Actor Christian Bale plays the leading role of Six Shadowstone.

[Richard Loh]

17th Arodus 4713

A band of travellers just came into our camp today. They brought with them Anevia Tirabade, wife of the half-orcish paladin, one of our heroes, Irabeth Tirabade. Apparently, there were traitors in our midst, all before things got shot to Hell by the demons! How blind were we to not see that there are cultists amongst us!



The letter, brought in by the group, led by Alexander Du Moire, brother of the wretched Chelish pirate Darsielle Du Moire, who almost started a war between Andoran and Cheliax and who was fortunately brought to justice by your fellow Pathfinders. Rumours has it that he is here at Kenabres to try to redeem his family's name.

Also, reports filtering in from the outside as it that Kenabres is almost utterly destroyed and now, our population is holding at 3,000+. Hopefully, all will be well and I shudder to think of the fates of the citizens who are captured and brought into the Worldwound.



What lies at the Kite? Is the wardstone truly destroyed? Perhaps, this band of travellers can tell us what happened and are brave enough to step out and turn the tide of the battle. There is something about them which I feel will prompt them to greatness. Let's hope that this Crusade will no longer be the final crusade which will seal the doom of Golarion and drag the entire world into the claws of the demons.

I will write as soon as I can again, father. It is time for my guard duty now.

May Iomedae protect us all.
Derrick Oth Mitiades

[Richard Loh]

19th Arodus 4713

The strangers, under the auspices of Irabeth Tirabade have managed to successfully cleared the three safe houses in Kenabres.

They have also successfully rescued some members of the Riftwardens. They are a group of mages who specialises in protecting Golarion from creatures who uses planar gates for nefarious reasons. Their apparent enemies are a rival group of mages called the Blackfire Adepts. Unfortunately, what they do, I do not know.

I heard snippets of conversation regarding Areelu Vorlesh, the Nahyndrian Crystals as well as the assault on the Gray Garrison, a temple of Iomedae. I wonder whether the Gray Garrison still remains consecrated.

The rod of cancellation which Quednys Orlun, head librarian of the Librarium of the Broken Black Wing, obtained this rod from a ruined magic shop. Both Irabeth and Quednys agreed that we must destroy the wardstone before they use its magical energy against us! The strangers have also mentioned that they are able to chase off an Ulkreth.



Ulkreth, living siege engines of destruction. If what the strangers said is true, he is a paladin of Iomedae no less, we should be able to hold off against them! Initially, Irabeth wanted us to create a diversion, but with such strong allies on our side, Irabeth agreed that the strangers should be able to take on the Gray Garrison by themselves. Perhaps, there is hope to all this after all!

Anyway, the Children of the First, have allied themselves with us. Disgusting though they might be, we cannot doubt their true intentions, given that it is their forefathers which enabled us to survive until now. Also, Horgus Gwerm, noble-merchant of House Gwerm have donated some of his personal supplies to aid in our cause. Even though I can still hear his grumbling now, but his intentions are noble and for that, I am glad and am willing to endure his ramblings.

No matter, things are looking good as there are rumours that a similar attack have occurred at Nerosyan, but the Diamond City is still standing tall and strong. Let us pray that the strangers will deliver us from this demon occupation.

Derrick Oth Mitiades

[comradechris]

And so, when the tiefling cultist chief went up to Emrys, Paladin of Iomedae, and said,

"All Hail Baphomet!"

Emrys instinctively replied

&%#* BAPHOMET!

[Richard Loh]

This letter was discovered by the adventurers when they assaulted one of the safehouses of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth.



I wonder who is Minagho and what is the Nyserian Crystals?

[Daryl Kong]

Six suddenly felt a lump of something in his Boots of Speed. He moves over to a corner, takes off his boot and removes a single piece of crumpled paper. Taking a quick look around to make sure no one is watching, Six carefully unfolds the paper and it reads...

Dear Shadowstone,

Congratulations for surviving it this far. Here are two of pieces of gear to aid you in the crusade against the demons. Continue to serve the Order well and be rewarded, including the promised pardon on that nasty death sentence on you. It is unfortunate that the other recruits have been eliminated but I am confident that you will be successful in your mission with the help of your new comrades. Failure is not an option.

Until next time,
Mistress of Guns

[Richard Loh]

14th Rova 4713

The heroes finally returned! Indeed, they are as powerful as the paladin of Iomedae claimed! From their looks, we can indeed see that they have grown in power. They seem... different somehow. No matter. We were preparing to drive off some demons when an energy wave from the wardstone rushed over the demons and destroyed them where they stood. We spent the past few weeks driving out the rest of the demons from the ruins of Kenabres and today, Queen Galfrey herself led an army up to Kenabres and helped secured the city.

Even now, she is asking for volunteers to follow the heroes of Kenabres in an attempt to retake Drezen in the north as the demons are focusing their firepower in the south. I volunteered to join this outfit even though I barely have much time to spend with my child, but somebody have to take the fight to the demons. I fear that this might be a suicide mission, but I have faith that Iomedae will protect me. If you do not hear from me within the next two months, please take good care of your grandchild for me, sire.

May the light of Iomedae shine upon you!

Derrick Oth Mitiades

----------
Nick, Darian & Stephen:
For cleaning up the Gray Garrison, you were visited in your dreams by a beautiful, but scarred woman in plate mail who thanked you for your kindness and service before apologising for the fact that she cannot help you in the future, but she can grant you a token of her gratitude and kisses you on the forehead.

Please amend your character accordingly:
- gains a permanent +2 bonus to a skill of your choice.
- gains permanent 5 hit points.
- gains a bonus feat of your choice (must qualify as normal for the feat's prerequisites)
- gains +2 increase to an ability score of your choice.

Note: The party is now Mythic Tier 1.

Riftwarden Orphan
Path: Archmage
+4 trait bonus on caster level checks to penetrate a demon's Spell Resistance.
Once per day, can recharge a charged magic item by expending one use of mythic power. Doing so adds a number of charges equal to 1d10 + mythic tier to the item, up to its maximum number of charges.

Exposed to Awfulness
Path: Guardian
PC gains 3 hit points per level.
When reduced to negative hit points by an attack or effect from a demon, as an immediate action, the PC can expend one use of mythic power to heal damage equal to 2d6 + twice her mythic tier. This healing occurs after the damage is done. If the damage is enough to kill the PC, she cannot activate this ability.

Stolen Fury
Path: Champion
PC gains a +2 trait bonus to Fortitude save.
By expending one use of mythic power as a swift action, she can ignore a single demon's DR for 1 minute and increases the critical multiplier of any weapon she wields against the demon by 1.

Chance Encounter
Path: Trickster
PC gains a +2 trait bonus to Reflex save.
By expending one use of mythic power, the PC can take 20 on an Acrobatics, Bluff, Disguise, Sleight of Hand or Stealth check without an increase in the time needed to make the check.

[Richard Loh]

20th Rova 4713

With such words, the newly knighted Knights of the Fifth Crusade led a small force of paladins and some members of the Order of the Black Powder into the Worldwound in a bid to capture the city of Drezen as the marilith Aponavicius have led her troops towards the south to join the Storm King in a bid to capture Nerosyan, Karcau and the cities beyond. It was said that within Drezen lies the Sword of Valour, a magical banner wielded by Iomedae herself, during the Shining Crusades and the reason Drezen lasted for so long was the presence of the Sword. When Drezen went down, it was said that the Sword was no where to be found.

Queen Galfrey herself recommended four advisors to join the party. Aron Kir, master tactician, Nurah Dendiwhar, an expert on the early Mendevian Crusades as well as the lore of ancient Sarkoris, Sosiel Vaenic and a mysterious stranger, whom the Queen sent as an independent observer.

Nurah Dendiwhar was shortly captured and promptly shot in cold blood by Six Shadowstone after she was discovered trying to weave a magical enchantment over the Knights as she was under watch by the party on suspicion of the paladin, Emrys. The night prior, she confided to Six that she served the demons and her only job is to get Aron hooked onto the shadowblood again and attempts to sabotage the army from within.

By climbing and following the canyon above, the Knights of Kenabres encountered a field of Urannags, iron cages formed in the Abyss. The presence of such iron cages means that the Worldwound is getting closer to the Abyss. Thankfully, with Emrys' and Soros' expert eyes and guidance, the army quickly circumvented the cages.


Finally, about half a day's journey from Drezen, the Heroes of Kenabres successfully cleansed a chapel to Iomedae and in so doing, the sword, Radiance grew even more in power. Half a day to go, with remaining rations, how long can the Knights of Kenabres hold before they run out of rations?

[Daryl Kong]

As the Heroes leave the chapel, Six Shadowstone drags the corpse of the half-nabasu and hands it over to his Black Powder minions. "Bring along and protect this corpse, it is critical to our success!"

[Daryl Kong]

When Six Shadowstone reaches the next level and when the Heroes have secured the demon-occupied city of Drezen, Six will gain the following cohort (subject to GM's approval) :

Name: Shandy Radler
Race: Archon-Blooded, Aasimar
Features: Blonde & platinum hair colour, pale smooth skin, stern-looking diamond coloured eyes and continous flames on her shoulders and top back area.
Gender: Female
Class: Cleric, Domains (Heroism & Resurrection)



Backstory:
Shandy Radler was recruited to the Temple of Amosdeus at a very young age. Her real name is lost forever. During her early years as a cleric, Shandy served as a healer onboard numerous navy vessels of Her Majesty's Service, including the Bloodfang and earned herself recommendations and praises for supporting the troops well. Only recently, the High Priests of Amosdeus have accused Shandy of not following Asmodeus' domains practices and have brought her back to face heresy charges. However, those charges were eventually dropped and rumours have it that a Hellknight Inquisitor of high influence has taken custody over Shandy. Shandy was last seen boarding the Bloodfang with its destination... Kenabres.

[Richard Loh]

24th Rova 4713

Trekking along the southern ravine towards Drezen, the party avoided a greenish cloud in the ravine. Realising that there is no good way to get to the city intact with the horses, the Knights of Kenabres took three additional days to get to the northern edge and it was thankfully uneventful except when there were hellish weather conditions. Lightning bolts and fire bolts that strike the army unerringly. Ashclouds and sudden bouts of calm weather. Such weather is indeed confirmation that the Knights are at the edge of the Abyss.

On reaching Drezen, the Knights took immediate action to destroy the Ahari Bridge and they immediately swept down on the western end of Drezen to the cemetary and destroyed an army of ghouls and as they were picking their way through, they encountered a mausoleum and the presence of a single incorporeal being caused the Heroes of Kenabres to flee from the site as far as possible.



Taking shelter from the firestorm, the Heroes encountered Blaise, a lich who was here to find the Blackfire Adepts for some information. This was the last sight of Emrys before he had his life extinguished by the lich's Circle of Death.



Eventually, the party destroyed Blaise out as Six drew his double-barrel pistol and with what seems like a chain gun firing off, the lich, known as Blaise is no more, his body destroyed. Emrys stood up miraculously after that, and as the Heroes rested in the ruins, Emrys awoke with his hair starting to fall off.


Information filtering in from Anevia and Aron indicates that the following is still around and very relevant.

- Southbank
A large number of tieflings and human cultists alike are camped in Drezen's southern district, and they are guarding a large amount of what appears to be captured crusader gear. Not only will defeating these cultists decrease the city's defenses, but the gear could augment the resources of the Knights.

- Paradise Hill
A large amount of schir demons hold Paradise Hill, once a district of warehouses and food stores that sat atop the high ground east of the citadel. It appears the demons are now using the area as a prison for captured crusaders - rescuing them could provide reinforcements for the army.

- Haunted Vault
The largest vault in the cemetery seems to be surrounded by eerie shadows, as if some vile magic is at work within - the vault should be investigated.

- Drezen Watchtowers
Citadel Drezen is surrounded by a wall and seven watchtowers. Each watchtower seems to be guarded by a few figures, and each is armed with a large catapult. Disabling as many of these catapults as possible makes the siege more effective. At this moment, only FOUR watchtowers looked operational.