"A Chronicle of Failure," Anonymous, 4640

Note · 55 gp · Weight 2

A notice in large letters on the book's binding reads: "This book is banned within the borders of Mendev." "Taken from the account of a noble Mendevian warrior, veteran of two crusades, who was grievously wounded and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Andoran. The First Crusade, intended to purge the lands of Sarkoris of the demon scourge, was called up in 4622. The loss of Aroden was still a raw wound in the hearts of the faithful, and those who answered the call of the Church of Iomedae channeled their grief and fury toward a new cause — the defense of Mendev and the liberation of Kellid lands from the spawn of the Abyss who at that time were reveling in the ruins of Sarkoris. Many answered the call of the Inheritor's followers and fought under the banners of the crusaders. Illustrious warriors ventured forth into the lands captured by the demon pestilence, bringing with them cleansing fire and long-absent hope. Ere long the filthy hordes were driven out of the western reaches of Mendev into the Sarkorian Steppe, and beyond as far as the Threshold fortress, which to this day remains the beating heart of the Worldwound. In 4630, having pursued the demons beyond the Northmounds of Sarkoris and secured the borders, the Church of Iomedae declared the First Crusade complete. But alas, what the valiant liberators thought was the closing chapter to a victorious campaign was but the prelude to a tragedy that is unfolding today before our very eyes. Two years ago, an endless wave of demons poured forth from the Northmounds into the Kellids' plains. The fortresses that had so recently stood strong on Mendev's borders were washed away in this unstoppable flood. The Second Crusade was called up without delay, but it was too late: the source of the corruption, the Worldwound, opened its putrid maw wider to disgorge not scattered hordes, but full-fledged armies led by monstrous generals. The Second Crusade goes on, but the morale of Golarion's defenders is at its lowest ebb. Neither the Church of Iomedae nor the courageous crusaders have the power to overcome the demons that have now overrun Sarkoris. There will be no turning point in this war: all we can do now is wait for death on the borders of Mendev, which has not yet bowed down before the hordes of the Abyss, and pray to the gods that the Worldwound does not expand yet again, delivering new horrors into our world."