Farasha leans around the corner, bringing her bow up swiftly and releasing her arrow the moment it is on target.
Kazul and Farasha hit the closest cultist, who shrieks in pain and surprise.
Attacking the closest cultist the Paladin wades into the combat with a prayer song to iomedea on his lips.
Sjurd takes up a position to the rear, watching for allies of the cultists in nearby buildings.
The nearest cultist is badly hurt, but Bollwerk fails to connect and finish him.
Fabian holds his position, trying to stay behind the melee fighters but within 10 feet of them so that they'll benefit from his protective ward. He lifts his staff, speaks some arcane words, and an icy ray shoots forth at one of the nearby cultists.
Farasha draws and fires twice in quick succession, aikming to bring the cultists down as quickly as possible.
The nearest cultist goes down under Bollwerk's strike. The second is hit by Fabian and Farasha's attacks, nearly killing her.
Kazul hefts another javelin and works his way around to the left, hoping to get an advantageous position.
Four cultists remain, they form a line with the three unwounded enemies holding forth their glaives while the fourth sets herself behind them and casts a spell, knitting some of her wounds back together.
Behind you, the Gold Hawks set themselves to watch the flanks, in case more cultists appear.
Seeing them all together, Fabian steps forward, brandishes his staff, and speaks some arcane syllables. With his other hand, he pulls some colored sand out of his spell component pouch and throws it into the air. Trying to cast defesively so that he won't be subject to an opportunity attack...
he manages to maintain his concentration. A cone of multicolored light shoots out from his staff, enveloping the cultists.
Realising the spellcaster may be the bigger threat, and trusting to her allies to look after the front line for a moment, Farasha puts the enemy priestess in her crosshairs.
Hiding behind your lackeys won't save you today!
Moving forward using full defense Bollwerk invites the cultist to attack him and is ready to Lay on hands himself if necessary.
Kazul stays at range and throws a dagger at a wounded cultist.
Overwhelmed by the riot of colors, the three cultists in front go down under Fabian's spell, their ploearms clattering to the stone street. Behind them, the evil cleric takes hits from Farasha's and Kazul's attacks. Bloodied, she sneers at you.
"Fools! I will destroy you with the will of Baphomet as my weapon!"
Holding forth her unholy symbol, a stylized brass bull's head, she invokes her power. Dark energy bursts forth, enveloping both Bollwerk and Fabian. Whether it's destiny, or you strength of will, you resist the evil as it washes over you.
Your minions have left you, following in your sanity's stead. I hope you find redemption beyond the veil but for now with no repentance there is no mercy
she releases two more arrows directly at the cultist.
Bollwerk moves forward and attacks the enemys
Out of ranged weapons and with the cleric's cover gone, Kazul wades in with his falchion.
Completely unable to fathom how somebody could dedicate their lives to something as foul as Baphomet, Fabian feels horror and disgust rising within him. He holds up his staff, and two bolts of magical energy shoot out towards the cleric.
Arrows and force of magic end the career of the cleric of Baphomet before it really began...
Now you have three unconscious cultists to deal with. The Gold Hawk sergeant steps up to one yanking her hair back. She draws a dagger and looks at you.
"Now what?"
"In the name of the Lady, you three have shown to be true enemys of the people. Hereby I declare you guilty and your punishment is death. My Pharasma judge your souls wisely!"
The sergeant nods. She draws her knife across the throat of the woman she holds, and two of her soldiers do the same to the remaining cultists. Soon the bloody work is finished.
The Gold Hawks clean their blades on the clothes of the dead. The sergeant steps over to you, wanting to speak. "Good work there." She says through lips still swollen where Kazul's javelin hit her. "And ...thank you. I don't know what came over us, but you were right. Things were just...well...crazy back there. Anyway, thanks."
Fabian grimaces. "Even though the world has gone crazy, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with us appointing ourselves the proper arbitors of summary judgement."
Fabian looks for the girl they rescued earlier, making sure that she's OK. Next, he will look to Anevia. "Shall we continue looking for Irabeth?"
I think given everything we've seen in the last couple of hours, let alone days, means speed is of the essence. Let us move on swiftly
Farasha moves off after ensuring everyone is ready to continue.
Anevia looks at the bodies of the cultists, bleeding out on the Kenabres street, her jaw working. She raises her head to address Fabian. "We may be the only 'arbiters of justice' left in Kenabres," she says darkly. Turning away, she limps off to the north, carefully avoiding the growing pool of tainted blood. Behind her, the Gold Hawks fall in line.
Farasha nods at Anevia, following her and the Hawks off to the north.
Looking at the dead Bollwerk just shrugs and silently prays for the city while walking behind the group, feeling the weight of a whole city on his shoulders.
I suppose it makes sense to see if they have anything on them that might help our intelligence efforts, communications with a central organiser, that sort of thing
Farasha quickly pats down the cultists, checking inside robe pockets and pouches for any documentation, she also slides their weapons in to a pile in case anything might be of use to the party or the Hawks.
Kazul searches the bodies.
They carry normal weapons and armor, if you are interested in that sort of thing: 5 glaives, 5 suits of leather. Other than that, you find 45 gold pieces between them.
You continue north through the ruined city, this time with Anevia leading the way. Your small train moves slowly, but with purpose. At the southern end of Gate District, you stop in front of a modest home on a narrow street. Anevia turns to you.
"It isn't much, but Irabeth won't hear about moving up." She looks wistfully at the house, and smiles a sad smile. "I always wanted something more, but she wouldn't hear of it. It's kind of hard to argue with someone who donates most of her earnings to local charities."
With that she pushes her way in the front door. "Irabeth! Irabeth! It's me!" She calls as she goes in.
Kazul moves in front of Anevia, "Let us scout the place out first, m'lady."
Anevia pays no heed to Kazul, making her way through the front room and hobbling back to what must be the kitchen.
Irabeth! I'm home!" She calls again.
Worried, Fabian follows Anevia in. It seems that Irabeth is not here; he hopes that there aren't cultists, or worse, lurking in wait.
Farasha moves inside, keeping a watchful eye as her companions search around.
Fabian looks around, thoughtfully....