The group excuses themselves from the bar, with the promise that they'll try to find the sword's story so that the man can make a fair evaluation of its worth. Then they finish their shopping.
You head back to the church and go to its library. Valla is there, slightly irritated as you ask her for research on your weapon, as she's up to her eyeballs in research on the Cloak. She points you to a section of catalogs of famous weapons and stomps back to her own piles of books.
I need Knowledge History checks from everybody helping. You each get a +5 bonus for the libraries special resources concerning historic weapons. Whoever has the best result will be the lead and everybody else will add +2 bonuses to that roll (assuming you make at least DC 10).
I didn't mean that we would research it now, but there's no harm in it, I suppose. Ty doesn't have Knowledge: History, but aside from Alexis... Rhyelia and Thanephos do.
After a couple hours, Thanephos finds a trail, and with the girls' help, you are soon looking at an illustration that exactly matches the markings of your sword.
Barbatos' Brand, though conceived in folly, sprung from the very fires of Hell itself. Terion the Fierce, a proud and vicious knight from the Chelish family which would eventually become House Thrune, using a foul rite, opened a gateway for himself to Avernus, the first layer of Hell. Seeking to pledge his allegiance directly to the Lord of Hell, Terion soon found himself outmatched, captured by the minions of Barbatos and brought before the Archdevil himself. In a desperate act, Terion thrust his greatsword at the devil, who ever so easily caught the blade in one gauntleted hand. After months of torture, Terion was returned to Westcrown, a broken man forever to be Barbatos' dog on Golarion, tasked with organizing insurgency against the forces of Aroden. The sword that had been grasped by the Lord of Avernus bore its own reminder of Hell: a flame of volcanic heat infused in the metal blade.
Following Terion's death decades later at the hands of an Iomedaen champion, the blade vanished from known history. It was widely believed to have returned to Barbatos' clenched hand upon the death of its owner, ready to be gifted to the Archdevil's next earthly dog (though presumably if that were the case, it would have vanished again when you slew Braxton Keel).
With your research complete, you unfortunately do not have time to return to the Foaming Tankard before the banquet this evening.
Staring at the words with a look of wonder. These stories are always interesting. Not bothering to take her eyes off of the book while talking. I am not sure how you could convince that man to take what sounds like a cursed blade. Though since it is still here I suppose it is a defiant blade and that angle might work.
With a defeated sigh, Though that does not matter currently. We have festivities to attend. That word 'festivities' is said with a growl behind it. We had best go and get ready.
With your research completed, you retire to your rooms to change (anybody buy any fancy clothes for this shindig?:) )
Coming from your rooms, you make your way into the Wardroom at the back of the Cathedral. Decorated richly though simply in a warrior/battle motif, captured banners line both sides of the room, suits of armour stand at attention, and shields crossed with the sword-and-sun adorn both fireplace mantles.
There are ten individuals in the room who are obvious guests (in addition to yourselves), several of whom appear to have servants with them, and there is also Church footmen moving about serving drinks.
Genedair the Faithful is already seated at the head of the table, though that is clearly a matter of comfort for his aged bones, as the dinner bell has yet to ring. Standing next to him is a severe-looking woman in fine clothes, with several emblems of office about her neck.
Valla Timonae is there, talking the ear off a bespectacled elderly gentleman with a single tuft of white hair, who screams librarian so loudly it's a wonder you can't smell the musty books from across the room.
Four high-ranking clerics from the Church (whom you saw at Albar Tolion's funeral but never really have spoken with) stand with a middle-aged man in military regalia, who stands with a straight back, but his slight paunch speaks to a lack of recent service.
Sir Rollynd stands off by himself near a fireplace, nursing a drink and trying to avoid looking at anyone for too long.
Once you are all in, conversation stops and Genedair smiles warmly at you, gesturing you further in. "Please, come and make yourselves comfortable. All in this room are friends, and would wish to know you better."
Footmen come to offer you drinks.
Ty feels under dressed in his plain (but well kept) soldier's garb which has a patch bearing the symbol of Arqueros on his breast. He takes an offered drink, but doesn't sip.
At Genedair's introduction, he'll nod hello to the assembled strangers in the room, but never being a particularly social person, he's not good at initiating conversation. Unintentionally illustrating this, he moves to stand next to Sir Rollynd, but doesn't say anything. He particularly does his best to avoid eye contact with the man in military regalia.
Sir Rollynd glances up as Ty joins him at the fireplace. After several moments of silence, he casually remarks, "You know, many people don't realize the skill involved in laying a truly effective fire."
Ty nods. "Helps to start with good kindling."
Tying her hair back to ensure that her little horns are visible before beginning the chore of picking what to wear. Deciding on a sleeveless dress that shows off a small amount of cleavage. A golden belt sits around her waist. The dress itself is a deep blue and made of a thin materiel.
Grumbling to herself at having to leave her sword behind, That would offend them. Moving quickly down the hall with the blue fabric billowing around her legs as she moves.
Tensing when she gets into the room. Friends huh? Ok we will see. I be social damnit. A kind smile on her lips when looking at Genedair. Offering a respectful incline of her head before speaking. Thank you for the kind welcome.
That smile takes a bit of effort to keep as she moves to meet the room occupants.
Deciding to try out a familiar face and an imposing one first Alexis walks over to Genedair and his companion. Keeping her smile in place while looking a GenedairIt is a pleasure to see you again. The shifting her eyes to the woman, Greetings High Councillor. I am Alexis Von Brant.
Casting her eyes about the room Alexis's eyes fall on a symbol that has always fascinated her, the Pathfinders guild. Her feet pull her to the man sitting with Valla Timonae. Curiosity forces hesitance out of the way. Waiting at a polite distance and for a lull in their conversation. Either naturally or because they notice her waiting. Nodding to Valla, Greetings. I do believe I am supposed to be meeting the people in the room. Would please make my task a little easier and introduce me to your companion?
Thanephos walks into the room, looking around before bowing low to the high councillor and walking in her direction. Milady, it's a pleasure to see you here. I hope you are doing well?
Though Rhyellia bought no new clothing, she does however take some time on her appearance. She bathes, shaves and disguises her more fiendish traits by applying makeup and pinning her veil. I do not assume these nobles will be any kinder than the last.
-Later at the party-
Rhylellia curtsies before the High Chancellor not to low and not shallowly, so as not to give offense. Rhylellia allows her companions to do the speaking for her.
Genedair nods to Alexis, Thanephos, and Rhylellia. He introduces you all to the high councillor, and then introduces her as "High Councillor Vylera Delann."
"Vylera is fine, please," she says, shaking your hands. "I get enough of High-and-Mighty Councillor from my assistant all day." She pauses as she shakes Alexis' hand. "A tiefling?" However Alexis reacts, she's quick to continue, "Forgive me, I mean no offence or slight. Tiefling women are not so usual, even in Absalom, and you would be the third to come to my attention today. According to a rather terrified city guardsman, my son and his good-for-nothing friends accosted two tiefling women outside a public house this afternoon. I assure you though, Absalom is normally a safe a city for tieflings as any, which I suppose is not always that safe, is it?"
"Wood needs to be dry, too," Sir Rollynd continues.
Not batting an eye at her surprise over her heritage. Waiting for the older woman to finish before continuing, No most places are not particularly safe for my kind High Councilor. If is unfortunate that people of any species are being accosted in the streets.
"Yes, and normally Absalom is as safe as any major city--we work hard on the council to keep it so--"
"You work hard, my child," Genedair chides gently.
Vylera bites her lip and gives the ancient cleric a fond, reproving look. "Let us just say that many on the Councils have come to realize the safety of our citizens is in everybody's best interests. But these last few days...it is not a good time to not be human in Absalom. It's sickening. I don't know what this new god is up to, but if the last two nights are any indication, perhaps the world would be better off declaring enough new gods, and raze that Cathedral to the ground."
"My son and his fools-for-friends are not the only idle thugs spewing this filth."
"It is also important to stack the wood properly, to allow a good supply of fresh air for the flames," a man's voice advises from behind Ty and Sir Rollynd.
He holds out a hand to Ty. "I am Wynsal. Wynsal Starborn."
Ty shakes the man's hand and mumbles his name.
"I was going to say that, next," he says. "But now it occurs to me to mention that sometimes... it's easy for a fire to get out of control."
Keeping her features as neutral as possible, I am heartened by you consideration for non-humans.
Just a touch of bitterness seeps into her voice despite her efforts, Unfortunately many Deities play racial favorites.
Lacing her fingers behind her back and taking an even breath before continuing, [b]But I doubt the people would be peaceful about the destruction of that Cathedral.
"No, the people would not be peaceable about it at all," she replies.
Genedair lays a frail hand on Alexis' arm. "It is alright, my child. I apologize if I have misread you, but I sense you have words you wish to say. Don't be afraid. Vylera is one of the good ones, and will take your words to heart. Politics is a hard life, but she has not moved so far from that young acolyte of Iomedae those many decades ago."
"I thank you not to stress that word many too far," Vylera replies with mock severity. Back to Alexis, she adds, "Please, Ms. Von Brant. Speak your mind."
"Indeed," Wynsal replies. "The stronger the source, and the more wild it can become, especially when the winds are swirling and the tinder is dry. But I fear now we no longer discuss the cheery blaze before us."
Do they expect me to explain that I was the one her son accosted? I do not know how that would end well for me. It could easily turn so that I am slandering her family. Sighing before continuing, There is a trend among the Divine to pick their chosen children and my kind are never in that list. Despite Humans tenancy to breed mixed children with almost every race they are the typical chosen race.
Glancing around the room, Not that it is safe for my kind to be anywhere really. It is unfortunate.
Shifting her stance and meeting the High Councilor, May I ask what measures are being taken to protect the non-human inhabitants of this city? She seems rather eager for the answer.
"Well, since it is already illegal to lynch or accost anyone in Absalom, there is little we can do in making new laws. We have increased the city patrols and instructed them to be extra vigilant concerning groups of humans, especially the typically hot-blooded types. We do not want to start a holy war against this new god, as history has taught us that, in the beginning of a new faith, their followers are often confused and acting on misinterpretations of the new god's philosophies. From what we know of Masoumi, he was a kind and honourable man, almost to a fault, with many close friends and colleagues who were non-human. Nomarch Wynsel could tell you more; they were good friends before Masoumi's Ascension."
"Indeed," Wynsal replies. "The stronger the source, and the more wild it can become, especially when the winds are swirling and the tinder is dry. But I fear now we no longer discuss the cheery blaze before us."
"I'm not very good at this. I never thought we were." Ty looks at Sir Rollynd. "You were talking about the unrest and the situation around the new god, right?"
Nomarch Wynsel scratches his moustache to hide an amused grin.
"It's very unfortunate some of things some of Masoumi's followers have done in his name. I can't expect that he is pleased. Yes, he is Rahadoumi, and has always believed that humans as a race are the future of Golarion, but not that they are in any way superior to other races. I know for a fact that he has many non-human friends. And despite being Rahadoumi, he is a follower of Iomedae, and championed her causes in secret, risking his life time and again to help good clerics secure passage through the Kingdom of Man or escape incarceration, so he understands the horrifying effects that oppression can have. I cannot believe that it is his will that his new followers traipse about the city picking fights, or that merchants refuse to serve non-humans, or any of the other bits of foolishness that have cropped up in the last few days. Once he has gotten his head screwed back on after whatever happened to it inside that Cathedral, I'm sure he will find a way to set these fools straight. Masoumi is a good man, and while I will not give up my allegiance to Iomedae (and I know he would never ask me to), I would still share a cup of wine with him and discuss the good old days were he to appear before us."
Oblivious to being laughed at, Ty listens intently to Wynsel.
"Once he has gotten his head screwed back on after whatever happened to it inside that Cathedral,"
"What happens to someone's head inside the Cathedral? How do you know it's not permanent?"
Glancing over her shoulder then looking back towards the High Councilor. It appears my companions are already talking to him and this room is filled with people.
Smiling at the woman, I promise I will let you return to your previous conversation soon. While people might be over..
Trailing off for a moment and clearly trying to think of the right words. They might be overly zealous in what they think his dogma entails. I was in that court when his intent was very clear. I was born of a human family and excluded from his apparent light. If that behavior is not marked as inexcusable and illegal quickly the overly zealous will get far more violent. Moving from pushing someone onto the ground to beating them to death. Dammit there goes my mouth.
Oblivious to being laughed at, Ty listens intently to Wynsel.
"Once he has gotten his head screwed back on after whatever happened to it inside that Cathedral,""What happens to someone's head inside the Cathedral? How do you know it's not permanent?"
"I don't. I am neither sage nor theologian, but I do know that Iomedae didn't emerge from the Cathedral and have the city divided on itself within the first three days, and from all accounts, Norgorber was already a twisted psycho before he even entered the Cathedral. Being raised to god hood doesn't seem to change who a person is, so I can only assume that he will come to set things right once he realizes how wrong they are starting to go. I knew the man when he was a man, and he is one of the best."
The High Councillor's eyes narrow slightly. She searches Alexis' face for answers. "That is a very specific detail. Were you one of those women my son was so unforgivably rude to today? If so, I do most heartily apologize for the way you were treated. If you wish to press charges, you would be fully within your rights to do so. I would not try to dissuade you from your legal rights as a citizen, though the mother in me would still plead for her only son. I fear my choice of life in politics was not easy on him growing up, and he has become very entitled and not a little spoiled. But in no way does that excuse his behaviour."
Dammit! I would not win. Shaking her head and not answering, My only desire is to see the hostile actions end. No one should be attacked due to their blood.
"If the behaviour continues, the Council will probably label such attacks as the unlawful worship of a hostile deity, like last year when those three clerics of Hanspur were making converts by drowning beggars in the harbour. We live in a pantheistic society, and have many gods of all manner of philosophy. It cannot be illegal to worship any one god, only to perform acts of worship where the acts themselves go against the laws of civilized society. In the meantime, we increase patrols of city watchmen, train them to recognize a situation developing, and avail those who have been hurt of the justice system. If you have another solution, I would love to hear it."
Shaking her head before replying, [/b]It seems as though you have a good handle on things. Thank you for that and for answering my questions. It was a pleasure to meet you High Councillor. And a pleasure to see you again Genedair. If you will excuse me I am going to go about meeting some of the others in the room and interrupt their conversations.[/b]
Offering a slight bow before moving on to the next one.
"Of course. Alexis, this is Kreighton Shaine, Dean of Lore at the Pathfinder Grand Lodge. I've been picking his brain for details on your recent find, and he's filling in quite a few blanks."
"Indeed," the older man says in a voice characteristic of years of must exposure from old books and damp libraries. "It is quite remarkable, finding that within a two-hour's walk after all these years. Of course, one could say it was divine providence, the earthquake that finally brought down what I can only assume Iomedae herself put in place."
Nodding her thanks to Valla and turning her attention to Kreighton Shaine. It is a pleasure to meet you. Would the two of you mind if I joined in with you conversation. I will confess I know nothing of that cloak But I would like to.
"Well, certainly we can, though if you prefer, I believe Genedair wishes to brief you all on what Valla and I have uncovered tomorrow morning. Then, all of your friends can hear it at the same time."
Smiling, Well I have always valued learning so that would be fine with me. I must confess it was that symbol you wear that brought me over.
"The Pathfinder symbol? Is Society membership something to which you would aspire? As someone who was a part of retrieving a relic like this, I can promise you the training would be of no trouble for you."
"Once he has gotten his head screwed back on after whatever happened to it inside that Cathedral,""What happens to someone's head inside the Cathedral? How do you know it's not permanent?""I don't. I am neither sage nor theologian, but I do know that Iomedae didn't emerge from the Cathedral and have the city divided on itself within the first three days, and from all accounts, Norgorber was already a twisted psycho before he even entered the Cathedral. Being raised to god hood doesn't seem to change who a person is, so I can only assume that he will come to set things right once he realizes how wrong they are starting to go. I knew the man when he was a man, and he is one of the best."
It takes Wynsal and Sir Rollynd a moment to realize that Ty's silence is due to him slowly mulling Masoumi over in his mind. He stares at nothing for a long, awkward moment before finally speaking.
"Well, you know him better than me, so if you say that he's a good man, then okay. In my experience, the gods can tell us what they want, but the 'why' is something they keep close to their chest. Masoumi gave every human in Ascendant Court his 'Gift,' but most other races there didn't get anything. His favor seems obvious, but why he deliberately excluded non-humans... not so much."
Alexis's eyes light up at the prospect. I have always been interested in the Pathfinders though I have heard that it takes years to actually become a full member.
Rhylellia turns to Ty a quietly speaks as whisper for the first time that evening, "I shall only say this once. I have known many, so called good men, that at the first sign of hatred towards non-humans ... Their first defense is always, this I or they have, insert race friend here. I care not what this human man did, because to me the more concerning thing is what he, the god is going to do." Rhylellia by the end has a bitter tone in her quite voice.
Her mind temporarily is a storm of chaos before calming herself. She a makes her mind quiet.