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This story is an adaptation of a solo pathfinder second edition campaign played in Foundry VTT. It mostly consists of the journals I wrote to keep track of what was happening, with some proofreading and minor edits to improve readability. As such, it is not really structured like a normal story, and the pacing is a bit weird. However, I found re-reading the story to be rather enjoyable, so I decided to post it here.

My Dearest Rowan,

I have heard tales of your exploits. You are certainly making a name for yourself in the Verduran, even if its a name the local druids do not dare say. But your talents will always be wasted in Angen.

Come see me in Cassomir. I have an inn by the shipyards, and could use a talented bard. You may also be able to find some adventuring work, if you keep an ear to the ground (and knowing you, you always do).

If you do come, ask for directions to "The Floating Fox." When you arrive, we'll catch up over a mug of ale.

With love, Eva

---

The caravan was just settling in for the night when we heard it: the soft creek and clatter of bones. Seconds later, a phalanx of skeletons appeared from the dark swamp and set upon the camp. As the guards rushed to our defense, I placed a hand upon my heart, and muttered the only words in Chtonic that I knew:

" __Come to me, Zorra."

A symbol not unlike a thorny heart glowed pink where I had placed my hand, and with a puff of smoke and brimstone, Zorra appeared beside me. She was tall, seductive, and beautiful - exactly as one would expect from a succubus. And on her chest, the same symbol glowed, marking our connection.

"My my," she purred, "you do attract trouble, don't you?"

"I doubt they are after me," I said, my vulpine tail flicking behind me. "But we need to protect the caravan."

"Careful, sweetie, you bleeding heart is showing."

"Just Shut up and fight."

Three of the skeletons attempted to surround us, with two approaching from the front and a third coming up from behind. Plucking my lute, I sent out two bolts of force at the skeleton behind us as Zorra strode forward to face the ones in front. With an explosion of force and a swipe of Zorra's tail, two of the skeletons were reduced to piles of bones. The last one did not quit, and instead stepped up to Zorra and attempted to strike her.

Zorra deftly avoided the fiend's sword, only to be struck by its claws. Pain shot through both of us as our link transferred the wound to me. Focusing on our link, I called upon the divine power that bound us together, and the wound closed as Zorra struck with her tail once more. With another well aimed hit, the skeleton was reduced to bits of ivory and rotting sinew. Looking around, I saw that several of the guards had surrounded the leader of our caravan, and were busy holding off a contingent of undead lead by a skeleton in shining armor - no doubt the leader of the assault.

"You see the shiny one, Zorra?"

"Of course I do. Aiming for the root of the problem, are we?"

"Best way to get rid of weeds."

I plucked a battle march on my lute as Zorra and I strode into the space between the guards and the skeleton captain. With a terrifying grin on her face, Zorra struck out at the closest skeleton with her tail. Bones flew through the air as her strike landed. With a motion, the leader directed the remaining two skeletons to the back as he marched forward, brandishing his longsword. The captain's longsword struck a deep blow across Zorra's chest, and as we both reeled from the pain, his claws struck her shoulder. Meanwhile, a barrage of arrows flew forth from the two skeletons in the back, with one managing to graze my leg.

Gritting my teeth, I maintained the march and sent a bolt of force out at each archer as Zorra attacked the captain with her tail. The two archers were smashed to pulp, but the captain did not relent, striking out again. His sword swoung wide, but his claw once again struck out against Zorra's Flesh, and I nearly doubled over in pain.

Gotta end this now, thought to myself, or we're gonna be deader than these stupid bags of bones!

Drawing once more on my connection with Zorra, I sent out a wave of vital energy from my body. My wounds began to heal as the skeleton burned in the light. If the previous attacks did not phase the captain, the font of divine magic certainly did, as he responded by dropping his sword, before raising his shield and backing away while drawing a lance. This became its final act, as with one more chord plucked from my lute, four more bolts of force shot forth, shattering the beast. With the leader gone, the other skeletons turned their tails and ran. Zorra and I turned to face the leader of the caravan, a blue haired gnome by the name of Gimblebock.

"Well now," said the merchant, "I'm glad you came by when you did. I knew there was something different about you, even for a Nephilim, but I didn't expect you to have a pet demon! Not that I'm complaining."

"'Pet' isn't the word I'd use," I said.

"Think of me as her guardian angel," said Zorra, "only not angelic."

"Whatever she is, she's good in a fight, and so are you! I'm glad to have you around." The gnome beamed at us. "I'll make sure you're properly compensated when we get to the city. For now, get a good night's rest, and in the morning, we will set off again."

With the aid of a few potions, we were able to treat our wounds and fully recover from our ordeal. The next morning, we did indeed set off, though Gimblebock insisted we spend the rest of the journey with him, as he had "questions upon questions" about the two of us.

"The long and short of it is that one of my ancestors forged a demonic pact centuries ago that only came to light when I was born a Nephilim," I said. "My family has always had an affinity for divine magic, but the source didn't reveal itself, until I met my 'imaginary friend' when I was ten."

"Our bond is rather unique," said Zorra. "I was bound to protect the 'heir' of Reynardine's power, but I was only able to manifest in this plane when Rowan was born, due to her unusually high concentration of demonic magic."

"Which is a fancy way of saying 'pit magic makes no sense.'"

"Its pure chaos, darling. Of course it makes no sense."

"Fascinating, fascinating! And is she bound to obey you?" interjected Gimblebock.

"Begrudgingly, yes," said Zorra. "Would that my little pup were not so sweet. But she has a sharp edge to her, one that can be honed."

"Anyone would have a sharp edge if they had to perform on the street for the benefit of an aunt who hated them," I growled.

"Oh dear," said Gimblebock. "What about your parent?."

"Father skipped town, mother died giving me life," I said. "My aunt never forgave me."

"I'm sorry," the gnome said. "I shouldn't have asked."

A few moments of awkward silence followed. I stared out into the swamp, and Zorra eyed me with something that approached but was not quite like love. Then Gimblebock poked me in the shoulder.

"Look!" he said, pointing ahead of us. "The gates of Cassomir!"

They were proud, regal and stone, larger than any construction I had seen in either Angen or the Verduran forest. I stared up in awe, my canine ears turning towards the sounds of bustle that came from within.

"I never get tired of them," said Gimblebock. "They oversell what's inside, much as I am pained to admit it. But they never fail to impress."

The caravan passed rows upon rows of neat houses in the Taldan style, all arranged in tightly packed rows, before we got to Gimblebock's alchemy shop. As the merchants dispersed and wen to their various shops, gimblebock took us aside and gave us twenty five gold coins.

"This is for saving my life," he said, "and the lives of everyone else. I know you weren't hired as a guard, but without you we wouldn't have made it. I can't thank you enough. In fact, here: some healing potions, for you next adventure!"

The gnome dug around in his trunk and produced three vials of red liquid, which he thrust into my hands. I thanked him, and Zorra and I left, making our way towards the Shipyards.

The Floating Fox wasn't hard to find, after all. One simply had to look for the masthead of a beautiful, scantily clad vixen jutting out from a balcony shaped like a ship's prow. Coming closer, I could see that the whole building was built out of discarded ship parts. I smiled. Leave it to Eva to make an impression in the most unusual ways.

Suddenly, a shout rang out from inside the tavern. Nodding to Zorra, I strode inside to find Eva on the ground, surrounded by three strong looking women in official looking armor.

"I told you once," said the middle one, whose armor was more fanciful, perhaps denoting a higher rank.

"Damn you," cursed Eva. "I paid the business license. I pay my taxes. I'm not gonna pay anything else."

"Then, as captain of the guard, I have to take you into custody," replied the armored officer.

"On what charges?!"

"Failure to pay your fine."

"Excuse me, Ms. Captain," I interjected. "But there are two demons behind you who'd like a word."

Spinning around, the captain gritted their teeth before her jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

"Don't stare darling," said Zorra. "Its rude."

"I don't know what 'fine' Eva needs to pay," I said, "but I do know a shakedown when I see one."

The captain managed to pick her jaw up off the floor long enough to grit her teeth and glared at us. She turned back to Eva. "One week. 500 gold. Or I burn this place to the ground." She turned to leave, starting daggers at the two of us as she walked past, her armored lackeys in tow.

When the thugs were gone, I helped Eva off the ground. I could see a few bruises under her fur, and a trickle of blood was coming from her snout, staining her white coat.

"Bastards," I swore.

"I'm fine," said the Kitsune.

"Lying is unbecoming of a lady," said Zorra. "I assume there is a healer's kit around here somewhere?"

"Behind the bar," said Eva.

Zorra retrieved the healer's kit, and I helped Eva treat her wounds. Eva, for the most part, kept up her practiced poise. If I hadn't seen her on the floor earlier, I wouldn't have known she had been injured at all.

"So," I said, "You've attracted a bit of attention."

"Sweetie, you don't know the half of it," replied Eva. "But you must be tired after your journey, and I could use a pint of ale myself. I've got some bread and sausages we can munch on. Hang on just a moment."

Eva went behind a counter and erupted in a flurry in activity. Within minutes, she returned with three pints of ale and a plate of bread and sausage.

"On the house, of course," she said. "And there will be more where that came from, if you still want to perform here after *that* miserable display."

"I didn't come all this way to turn tail at the first uniformed braggart who passed my way."

"Glad to hear it," Eva said, smiling. She took a swig of her ale. "Though, if I can't pay the fine, this place will be history anyway."

"What's the fine for?"

"'Lasciviousness,' officially," Eva growled. "Apparently bawdy tavern songs are 'a threat to moral decency.' She's been going after the bars, brothels, inns...anywhere she deems 'sufficiently indecent'. Several establishments have been forced to close already."

"She can just do that?"

"Unfortunately, yes. She has the power to enact any fines she feels are necessary to keep the peace."

"Ah, abuses of power, enforcement of 'virtue', and the good people under attack," cooed Zorra. "And they say demons are monsters. Where do they think demons come from, exactly?"

"From sinners like us, obviously," I retorted playfully. "In any case, I take it you don't plan on paying."

"Hell no," spat Eva. "Even if I had the money, I'm not giving that bitch a single copper. These fines are just her means of enriching herself while enforcing 'traditional virtue.' I have no intention of paying.

"In any case, you should settle in. Then tonight, if you're up to it, you can perform."

"Of course," I said, nodding. "I assume bawdy tunes are not off the table?"

Eva grinned. "The bawdier the better."