A Letter to the King

To my first cousin, once removed:

King Borogrim

The High King Borogrim the Hale, High Councillor of the Gathering Council of Five Kings Mountain, Defender of Highhelm, by the Will of Torag, etc.

MOST SERENE AND MIGHTY KING:

I write to report the successful conclusion of the Siege of Citadel Drezen, and to request immediate aid and reinforcements to secure the Castle & surrounding City. We are also in need of skilled craftsmen, laborers, and civil servants to help undo the damage done it by its previous occupants and our battle.

While this is a task that requires the whole of good nations and people to dig in and contribute to the Crusade: it is my opinion that the Dwarves of Five Kings Mountain need to show a greater commitment to the cause ahead of us, while we of Clan Brynhammer have done our due diligence representing our people, we are only two among many. I can think of no finer warriors or workmen, and it is only fitting that Dwarves - under a High King's decree - should bring the manpower and supplies necessary to relieve a long lost Citadel.

It is my personal hope that with a strong spine of Dwarven stock we can prevent the Crusade's back from being broken again, and our People stand to gain much from such an endeavor.

Bound and Devoted,

Bryndr Bryndrsson, Scion, Brynhammer Clan

P.S.

There is an opportunity for a fresh supply line of ore and sundries from the North - I have a man capable of managing the supply and logistical means on this end, if any enterprising traders or guilds are looking for potential gain they will find an opportunity here (just be sure they send representatives with thick skin and a strong familiarity with self-important humans).

Torag's Holy Symbol

Hand of the Inheritor

James Castiel Novak's Prayer:

James Castiel Novak

I have given my place in the world some thought. With the prospect of the most improbable redemption encountered and playing out has been weighing on my mind. Is this the right path? Can one be cleansed of such a filthy past? If so, those soldiers we slaughtered at the river pass we gave no chance for redemption...should I have fought for their possible future? What could have been? I have no choice but to fight for her. Humanity is dirty it does terrible things, but they also engage in traits of the good gods. It deserves a chance to be cleansed a chance against annihilation. I must fight for her. Perhaps I have found comfort in You through Your struggle in life mirrored in my own, finding solace in following something familiar... sharing virtues, empathy, courage, the will to act to purge these abominations from our world...excuse me, an attempt to restore Good. 

In following You, I could find my own path. In following You, I could find that path will lead to service.

With this prayer, James' Birthmark flares, it's blurry lines filling in, color filling the image:

Birthmark

The Bell of Mercy

BELL OF MERCY  MINOR ARTIFACT  SLOT none CL 20th WEIGHT 2,000 lbs.   AURA strong abjuration

          

This large bell appears to be cast from pure polished silver. It is engraved with delicate runes around the bottom lip, and measures 3 feet from lip to crown and 5 feet in circumference around the bottom. Sacred to the faith of Desna, seven such bells are believed to have existed at one point, each housed in a separate tower throughout the Inner Sea region. 

While these seven bell towers were separated by great distance, they represented the Seven Towers of Desna’s palace, and pilgrimages to all seven were often undertaken by her faithful. Six towers are located in the western Mierani Forest of Varisia, the Hungry Mountains of Ustalav, the ruined city of Kokutang in the Sodden Lands, the eastern reaches of anglebriar in Kyonin, a hidden cove on Warlock Island in Cheliax, and somewhere in the hills south of White Canyon in Katapesh—over time, some of these locations have become quite dangerous. Each location presents its own dangers, and in some cases the bells themselves have gone missing. The seventh bell still hangs  in its tower in an old fort in the eastern Stonewilds of the Worldwound.

A Bell of Mercy’s magic works only once per year, though it can be rung more often as a normal bell. When activated, the bell sanctifies the area around it with the effects of hallow with a 120-foot radius, and with the additional effects of protection from evil for every good-aligned creature within the area. Within a 60-foot radius, this also includes a chaotic good maximized forbiddance effect. Creatures whose alignments are not chaotic or not good take 36 points of damage (Will DC 19 half) upon entering this area, while creatures whose alignments are neither chaotic nor good take 72 points of  damage. All evil extraplanar creature within 60 feet when the bell is rung must succeed at DC 20 Will save or be banished to their plane of origin—evil outsiders who resist this are still staggered in this area as a result of the bell’s power. Finally, the immediate structure surrounding the bell becomes infused with magic, causing doors and walls within its forbiddance area to be magically treated (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 411) and repairing damage at the rate of 5 points of damage per round. These repairs cannot repair damage to a structure incurred before the bell was rung. A Bell of Mercy is constantly under the effect of a dimensional lock, so it cannot be transported via teleportation. 

DESTRUCTION

A Bell of Mercy may be destroyed by transporting it to the Abyss, where it must be struck by an adamantine unholy longsword wielded by a balor lord. 

Arueshalae

A Failed Experiment

Gundr Bronnson sat staring at the foul blackened demon horn as it cooled from Holy Purging. The tenth attempt of the day had survived the forge and bent to his will, and he was weary from the efforts. He had a head ache, and he felt generally sour. The only thing that cut through his nagging discomfort was the ringing of his Forge Master's hammer as he purified weapons that had rubbed the taint of the World Wound for too long. These experiments with the demon horn were wasting his time. The only thing he had wrung out of it was the ability to add chaos to a spell. There was no benefit to creating chaos. Chaos was not of Torag. He threw the horns, and all remaing components into the forge, to be consumed. He felt better, headache dissipating as the horn hissed into ash. He smiled and observed his newly appointed Forge Master.

Maximillian Reaverstone finally felt like his 200 years had led him to his path. Always in his crafting he had felt an invisible pressure to make perfection his goal.  The heat, the peal of the hammer upon anvil, the honest ache of both shoulder and grip, these were his sacraments. He had throughout his life heard a voice in his dreams, a voice instructing, a voice teaching, a voice calling.  He had long ago connected that voice to what he thought Torag would sound like. When the call came from the Lords that a forge priest was needed, Max was certain that only he could answer the call. It wasn't until the end of the first day of tutelage under Sir Gundr Bronsson, just as he mastered the feat of crafting magical rings, that he realized it ; the voice in his dreams matched Sir Gundr's and no one else's.

Vorimeraak

Vorimeraak

Marhevok

Marhevok

The Anselme Family Crypt

Alrys Anselme

Bodak Anti-Paladin

Skulgrym Male Nabasu

A Message From Queen Galfrey

To the Heroes of Drezen—
Words cannot convey my gratitude for what you have done.  I wish that I could say the worst is over, but as you must surely know, the liberation of Drezen is but the first of many steps. You are poised to serve in a way that no others among the crusaders can match. Use Drezen as a base of operations. Set out to explore the Wounded Lands to the south and west for anything else we can use against the demons. You, being on the front lines, doubtless have already isolated several possible leads to investigate, but do not hesitate to consult those I have sent north with you. Sosiel, Aron, Irabeth, and the rest know much of the region’s history and legends. Word of your success and Drezen’s liberation has already started to spread, and already I see the results in the faces of my soldiers. They fight with renewed morale. Our increased tenacity along the southern borders should keep the eye of Deskari turned away from you, affording you time to explore and investigate behind enemy lines. With your aid, I now feel that victory is finally something we can hope for.

—Galfrey

Queen Galfreay

DREZEN LG large town Corruption –2; Crime –4, Economy –5; Law +3; Lore +0; Society –1
Qualities holy site, strategic location, tenacious Danger +5 Disadvantages ruined
DEMOGRAPHICS
Government overlord
Population 2,150 (1,860 humans, 170 dwarves, 35 half-elves, 20 elves, 20 halflings, 15 aasimars, 10 gnomes, 10 half-orcs, 10 other)
Notable NPCs
High Priest Sosiel Vaenic (NG male human cleric of Shelyn 7)
Irabeth Tirabade, Commander of Drezen (LG female halforc paladin 7)
Riftwarden Aravashnial (CG male elf conjurer 5/riftwarden 3)
Spymaster Anevia Tirabade (NG female human rogue 7)
Treasurer Horgus Gwerm (LN male human aristocrat 4/rogue 2)
Warden Aron Kir (N male human rogue 5/low templar 2)

MARKETPLACE
Base Value 2,200 gp; Purchase Limit 5,000 gp; Spellcasting 5th
Minor Items 3d4; Medium Items 1d6
NOTES
Ruined Decades of demonic rule, combined with recent mass combat, has ruined the city—most of its buildings bear damage, and it doesn’t currently have enough citizens to function at full capacity. (Economy –6; reduce purchase limit by 50%; reduce spellcasting by 2 levels; reduce available
magic items in number to small town level [3d4 minor and 1d6 medium items])
Tenacious Despite its devastation, Drezen is now a bastion for law and goodness. (Corruption –2; Crime –2)

SWORD OF VALOR MAJOR ARTIFACT  AURA strong abjuration and evocation [good]
SLOT none CL 20th WEIGHT 3 lbs.

The Inheritor herself carried this crimson banner into battle during the Shining Crusade. An army commander who carries the Sword of Valor increases the DV and OM of her army by 4 against armies of undead or evil outsiders. Yet the Sword of Valor’s greatest power lies not in offense but
in defense. Mounted firmly upon an interior wall in a visible, public place, the Sword of Valor creates a 10-mile-radius area that bars demons and those who worship demons from using teleportation spells and effects and imparts on such creatures a –4 penalty to Armor Class and on all saving throws. Once per month while the banner is mounted on a wall, a worshiper of Iomedae within 30 feet of the banner can use it to summon a planetar to protect the banner and its surroundings for 1 day. Any nonevil creature that sleeps within a 1-mile radius becomes immune to fear effects from demons and demon worshipers for 24 hours.

DESTRUCTION
The Sword of Valor can be destroyed by Iomedae herself, but only if she chooses to do so and rips it apart with her bare hands.

The Corruption Forge

Corruption Forge

A ten-foot-wide cage encloses an elevated lift at the top of this high terrace. A line of chains and an array of pulleys allow the cage to be lowered down into the room or moved across the room to a set of double doors at the far side of the chamber. The terrace and cage both overlook a large chamber with walls that seem to glow red hot. Heat wavers in the air, and wisps of vapor periodically waft up from the floor and walls, but the temperature atop the terrace is rather cool. Below, in the center of the room, squats a large forge made of black and red metal.

Fiendish Salamander Guardians of the Forge

The Coming of the Dawnflower

Theruk Nul

Theruk Nul felt his minions defeat in the haunted vault and roused himself to see what force had defeated the sorceress.   Knowing that she would return to her grave in the cemetery the former half-orc Theruk left his study to find Jestak.  The corrupted Kellid, a woman from the Howling Blood clan, was strong enough to carry the sorceress’ coffin back here into his study.  It was time Theruk thought for her casket to join his own in his hidden chamber. Turning gaseous, Theruk flowed through the air vents of the citadel to the West Garrison where he knew to find Jestak lording over the tiefling siege engineers. 

Jestak

Radiance

Solidifying behind the large human woman, Theruk's presence immediately commanded her attention, having charmed the barbarian so many times that the she no longer resisted.  

The duo had just left the citadel when Theruk felt his connection to the sorceress completely severed and then a moment later the charm over the corrupted Kellid was gone.   Piercing the abyssal haze of the worldwound a golden glow rose above graveyard filling the sky with the sudden raidiance of the sun.  Celestial hosts poured through the sunlight flying towards the catapults atop each tower of the citadel.  A holographic image filled the air, the tiny sun filling the sky with light was the glow of the fabled sword Radiance and from its light celestial hosts were being called forth by The Herald Caller of Saranrae.  Jestak turned back from the light and fled into the citadel.  Theruk Nul’s initial shock was overcome by his desire for self preservation.  The priest of Shax swiftly returned to the citadel moving into the hidden chamber of his study convinced of their defeat. 

Last Stop Drezen

Several days ago

The Dwarven rider,and Harris rode their mounts into the courtyard of Citadel Drezen.  The Dwarven Templar signaled the Brimorak demons atop the towers that they could consume the hard ridden mounts before signalling Harris to follow him inside.  They entered through the main gatehouse and walked up the ramp.  The Dwarf stood before a ½ orc houseman and removed his riding gear, grunting at Harris that they would clean up then eat. Harris was in the act of removing his riding boots when the Tiefling woman stepped from the Sally Port into their view, a bright head of long white hair and two horns protruding from her forehead.

 

“Is my brother aware of my return Chorussina?” the Dwarven Templar inquired, “Pray tell me he is below and too heavily involved in his research and duties.”   The Tiefling woman drifted over to the dwarf, draping her silk covered arm over the Dwarf’s broad shoulders, “He is still engrossed with his research into the Nahyndrian elixir, it worked on the Chimera!” she confided before asking, “Who is your travelling companion Joran?” 

Harris stepped forward to introduce himself, but quickly found his thought difficult to form, as if there was something he had wanted to say, a stupid smile slid across his features his attention fully upon the white haired woman.  

Harris Fairclaw

Joran chuckled at the ease with which the charm took his human companion, “So easy, lead him into the dining hall, I will know this man’s secrets.   Chorussina smiled at Joran and explained that the human was so ensorcelled that he would freely tell her whatever they needed to know.

“Good, once we have his information we can decide if this information should be shared with my brother Staunton or perhaps this human will provide us a new path to pursue?”  Joran watched and listened as Chorussina questioned Harris Fairclaw.  The pitiful human was so charmed with Chorussina that he told her his biggest secret, one they were both very surprised to learn.

“The Barbarian crusader, they call him Zervo, do you know who that is? He is last of the Bloodstone clan!” Smiling as he said it Harris saw the look of recognition that came over the Tiefling woman and Dwarf Templar, “ I KNOW RIGHT? I mean that has to be worth something don’t you think?”

Picking up his hammer and stepping up behind Harris Fairclaw, Joran Vhane spoke before bringing his hammer down on Harris, “It’s Worth EVERYTHING!”

Joran Vhane

The Beast of Drezen

Soltengrebbe The Beast of Drezen

Soltengrebbe is no ordinary chimera. A beast with the heads of a snow leopard, a white dragon, and a mountain goat, it was one of Aponavicius’s favorite pets for many years.

Brimorak's Attack

Standing just over three feet tall, these bestial humanoids wear filthy, tattered robes and have blue-gray skin decorated with strange, coiling stripes. Dark fur grows on their head and arms, and their feet end in burning hooves. The Brimorak's eyes glow as red as the flaming sword it wields in one hand, and their breath fills the surrounding air with noxious gray smoke.

Where we been?

The Worldwound and The Ruins of Drezen

You are arriving from the east along the Ahari Riverbed

Harris Fairclaw Templar at Large

The lower road was blocked, several trees had snapped and fallen from the cliff side running along the upper road.  The army was stopped in its tracks until the front unit finished clearing the way and Harris was stuck hiding in a small ridge alongside the cliff.  When the call to halt was sounded, Harris thought that he had been spotted by the paladin caller that rode through announcing “all stop”.   Luckily the paladin rode on without any reaction and Harris had made it to his current place of hiding.  

Harris Fairclaw

Harris almost screamed when the woman’s voice spoke from very close behind him, “The only reason you’re alive right now is I might have a use for you.”  Despite the threatening words, Harris recognized his fellow Templar’s voice, relaxed slightly and responded, “May in death I be reborn from the wound of our world, my soul returned from the maze of the abyss.”  Harris turned to face the pint-sized woman. 

The Halfling woman explained“I spotted you yesterday but had to be sure it was you.  The army isn’t going anywhere today, tonight I’ll get you into camp.  Another templar is with us but needs to travel to several locations on the upper road.  We’ll get you to his tent and then the two of you can travel ahead of us.  You’re lucky, there are horses and supplies.” 

Harris Fairclaw considered sharing his information with the her but decided she wasn’t near important enough to share with…perhaps this other Templar who had infiltrated the army.