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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Scotley" data-source="post: 6426040" data-attributes="member: 11520">The PitchThe queen interrupts your discussion, "I fear we are getting bogged down in relatively minor affairs while matters of much greater import are looming." Though obviously tired, Queen Galfrey takes the time to draw each of you out with questions about your background and recent actions, especially the breaking of the Wardstone. Clearly, she is measuring each of you. Finally, she comes to the point. "While there are some narrow-minded souls among the crusade who blame you for the destruction of the wardstone border, I do not begrudge you for what you did. Far from it. From the sound of it, you saved entire legions of crusaders from a most vile fate by preventing Vorlesh from transforming them, and the blast of energy gave us the time we needed to regroup and prepare for what will certainly come next. But you understand the implications of what you've done, I'm sure-the wardstones are gone, but lomedae has seen fit that you will be their replacement. I can think of no other reason that would explain why their power would have settled in your bodies and souls and didn't merely fade into the ether. In time, the demons will regroup and reorganize-we can trust their inherent chaos to make this period of regrouping longer than it otherwise would take, but we shouldn't underestimate them. They'll be back soon enough. Already I've had reports from along the front lines that small groups of demons are attacking fortifications and settlements along the southern border.But what intrigues me most is news from several reliable sources that as our fiendish enemies are starting to mass in the southern reaches along the Riftshadow within the Worldwound, they have left several of their northern lairs relatively unprotected. In particular, the fiend Aponavicius has taken the bulk of her army from Drezen, leaving it only moderately protected as she joins with the Storm King in lz to, no doubt, plot greater attacks on larger targets like Nerosyan, Karcau, and beyond. The time is right to strike into their territory. Drezen was the first of our cities to fall after the First Crusade, and we lost more than our kin and our pride that day. We lost the Sword of Valor, a magical banner carried by the Inheritor herself during the Shining Crusade. If Drezen could be retaken-if the Sword of Valor could once again be held by the crusade ... well, I trust I don't need to explain how well that would affect morale. But with the imminent attacks along the border, I cannot spare many to lead an assault on Drezen. And even if I could, a large army attacking the city would only draw Aponavicius back to defend the place. The obvious tactic is to send in a group of capable heroes with a modest but well-trained army to strike now, while the proverbial iron is hot. And this is why I've sought you out. If you can retake Drezen and reclaim the Sword of Valor, not only will you silence the fools who would brand you traitors for destroying the wardstone, but more importantly, you would bolster the entire war effort with your heroism. And I fear we need all the bolstering we can get!"[sblock=Drezen--Knowledge Geography 12, History 15 or Religion 20]Drezen was a dwarf built fortress city and first stronghold of the response to the Worldwound. It feel to treachery after the first Crusade and its loss was a trigger for the 2nd Crusade. Unfortunately, it could not be wrested from the Demons and so it was left inside the ring of Wardstones when they were built. It has been in demonic hands for 75 years.[/sblock][sblock=Sword of Valor--Knowledge Nobility 20, History 15 or Religion 12]It's not a sword. It's a battle standard-an artifact once used by Iomedae herself during the Shining Crusade. The church loaned the banner to the First Mendevian Crusade and allowed it to hang in Drezen, where it bolstered crusader morale and, perhaps more importantly, warded against demonic attacks, deceptions, and even teleportation. It was lost in the fall of Drezen and is widely believed to be held in a vault under Drezen.[/sblock][sblock=Aponavicius--Knowledge History 30 or Religion 25]Aponavicius is a Marilith of exceptional power known for her violent temper and acts of cruelty. She was instrumental in the fall of Drezen and is believed to have ruled the city since its fall though she roams widely.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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