Fabian will concentrate and attempt to identify the school of magic that the minotaur head is radiating.
He'll open the chest and see what's inside, and attempt to identify any magic items.
of Baphomet, a brazen head can be used once per month to perform an Augury. Rumors exist of more powerful brazen heads capable of casting Divination or even Commune.
Faxon's keys also open the chest. Inside, you find the following:
2810 cp
799 sp
152 gp
14 pp
5 silver holy symbols of Iomedae - poison free- @ 25 gp each
MW longsword
2 MW scimitars
450 gp in fine housewares like silverware and table settings
a wand of Bless (18 charges)
and a -currently- broken Phylactery of Faithfulness
The chest also contains a sheaf of papers documenting the cultists’ movements around the city. These papers not only indicate that the plan to attack Kenabres was several years in the planning, but that there were a large number of Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth involved. This list of names is valuable to the crusaders—it can’t help Kenabres at this point, but since several of the names on the list include people operating in other cities, it is a critical piece of information in the war against the Worldwound.
Finally, there is a short note in immaculate handwriting.
He shares the information with the others about what he knows of the Minotaur head. "This is a 'Brazen Head'. It's sacred to the cult of Baphomet, and provides boons to evil creatures near it. We should destroy it."
In consultation with Sjurd, Fabian is able to recognize a couple of names in the letter we find.
"More evidence that Kenbares had been infiltrated, and that this has been plotted for some time. The writer of this letter is Minagho, the demonic ruler of the ruined city of Raliscrad in the Worldwound. The name Vorlesh is mentioned-- that's the name of the woman who helped open the Worldwound in the first place."
Loot all destroy the head, return to base and clean us of our problems!
Thunder rolls through the red and black skies over Kenabres as you make your way back to the Defender's Heart. The sounds and smells of the wrecked city follow you, but you are unaccosted. The going is slower - you have a blind cleric and a weakened paladin - but you make it. The guards let you without delay, and Irabeth is waiting for you in the main hall.
"Ah! You made it!" She exclaims with obvious relief in her voice. "We did not know what you find out there, the situation being quite unstable as yet." She sits down on a a large wooden chair next to an older man. The man is an aged and angular looking man with an eagle claw tatooed on his cheek.
"Let me introduce you to Quednys Orlun, founder and head librarian of Blackwing."
Quednys looks you over with fair appraisal. "Irabeth tells me you are the ones responsible for saving what was left of Blackwing and its librarians. Thank you. She also tells me you have returned from searching out cultist hiding holes in the city. Tell us, what did you find?"
"We found one deserted, one destroyed and one we cleared. I hope we did weaken their defenses, but alas I fear they are still strong. And we payed very dearly. Our friend was struck blind, and I feel as weak as a kitten, as if my own armor were too much for me."
"More evidence that cultists of Baphomet had infiltrated much of the city, and had been planning this for some time," Fabian says. He shows Irabeth and Quednys the letter they found (the one from Minagho).
Glad to be back in safe territory, Farasha visibly relaxes as she hears Irabeth's voice and then the musical chatter of the children inside the safe area.
It is indeed grim out there, but for evil to win all good need to is do nothing, this is why we went out, and why we must continue to go out, until there is no more evil to vanquish.
she smiles
And what then? Why of course we move on to wherever else evil lurks!
Her voice turns serious
Have you healers here that might be able to reverse the spells cast upon both Bollwerk and myself? I pray to Desna that there is someone still amongst your people that has the power to reverse these evil spells...
Irabeth reads the letter, then hands it to Quednys. He reads it slowly, as if to consider every word. Finishing it, he looks at Irabeth and nods, then he hands the letter back to Fabian.
"I need to know," Irabeth begins gravely, "that you are willing to help us in this, beyond a doubt, willing to lay down your lives if necessary. Sacrifice all, to save Mendev...no...all of Avistan, from this calamity." She looks at each of you in turn, her face a mask of stone.
“As horrific as recent events have been, we’ve come to realize that they are, in fact, merely a prelude. The razing of the Kite, the destruction of our wardstone, Terendelev’s murder, and the assault on the city were nothing more than opening gambits. The Worldwound is on the march in a more concentrated assault than we’ve seen since the fall of Drezen. It’s fair to say the Lord of the Locust Host is finally making his move. The end of this hundred-year-war is upon us, and it falls to us to ensure victory.
While the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth were scattered, those who serve the Lord of the Locust Host himself remain concentrated in Old Kenabres. What we’ve heard from within the barricade they’ve erected is ominous. The cultists are waiting for something, and based on our own information and what you’ve managed to recover so far, it sounds like the vile witch Areelu Vorlesh will soon be coming to Kenabres. And it appears that we’ve determined what she intends to do.
When the wardstone was destroyed by the Storm King, it exploded and destroyed the Kite. The network along the border failed, but did not fade completely. I believe this is because a significant portion of our wardstone still exists, and that the cultists have taken it to the old garrison in Old Kenabres. From what we’ve learned, they’re hoping to engineer a way to somehow reverse the field generated by the wardstones—essentially, to use our own greatest defense as a devastating weapon.
The attack on Kenabres had a predictable result: causing the crusade to gather at the border to defend it. Some wonder why the demons haven’t attacked in stronger numbers. I believe that Areelu was counting on us massing along the border, and that if she can corrupt the wardstone field, she can strike a devastating blow against us all. In effect, we’ve lined up for the slaughter.
Vorlesh is surely seeking some object of great Abyssal power, likely the Nahyndrian crystal mentioned in the missive you recovered, and with it she intends to turn the source of our hope into an unimaginable nightmare. We cannot hope to evacuate everyone from the border—I doubt they would give up the defensive line even if they knew what the enemy planned. But we can still stop this from happening—we just need to have someone infiltrate the Gray Garrison, locate the wardstone fragment, and destroy it.”
Quednys shakes his head sadly at Bollwerk's and Farasha's questions. "Unfortunately, we do not. If you cannot remove those effects, then you must make do with what you have."
Fabian looks straight at Irabeth and says, "I will do it. I will lay down my life if necessary. For my mother, for Terendelev, for everybody who has sacrificed so much in Mendev. The wardstones have stood for a hundred years, have protected the rest of Golarion from the filth that pours out of the Worldwound. If it's up to us to stop this from getting worse, faster, then we must do what is necessary."
Farasha goes strangely silent for a few moments, her head bowed. When she straightens up she is smiling, at peace for the first time since the witch blinded her, the frown lines around her brow evaporated like dew on a hot summer's morning.
I believe Desna has answered our prayers, smiling kindly upon us. If you will excuse me, I must pray to her in thanks
Farasha finds a quiet spot and sits cross-legged, meditating for several minutes.
She stands up, divine words murmuring under her breath as she reaches up to her own eyes, the milky film stretched over them parts and withers at her touch. Her dress swishing as she moves across the stone floor, she stands before Bollwerk.
Pray with me my brother
she takes his hands in hers and begins another prayer.
Kazul looks at Irabeth, a determine steely look in his eyes. "I have friends and family here in Kenabres. Though their fate is unknown to me as of yet, I will strike for vengeance in their names for this horrific attack on our homes. My blade is at your service. The Gray Garrison it is."
Bollwerk kneels down and puts his holy symbol around Radiance hilt and starts to pray.
With his last words his hands begin to glow and for a moment the sword is basked in holy light.
Bollwerk feels the strength return to his limbs. Clearly the power of Desna and Iomedae work in concert this day.
There is hope yet...
Farasha smiles as she feels the strength return to the paladin's limbs, his sword glowing softly with the approval of the gods of good.
Not that any of us need reassuring in our faith, but it is of note that our patrons show their approval of our actions in such powerful ways
she kisses the silver holy symbol hanging around her neck and leaves it hanging for all to see.
So... what next?
To the first question.
"I will do all I can to destroy the taint on the city, and if I die, I will take care to take as many with me as I can, so that my friends can prevail!"
After the strength is returned Bollwerk adresses the others.
"We need rest first.... Sleep well and eat hearty, because tomorrow we will take the fight back to our assailants and show them that the line is drawn and they have stepped over it!"
"They will feel our wrath!" The half-orc's blood boils, as he echoes the paladin's words. He grips his weapon tighter and heads off to eat and sleep.
Irabeth smiles. "Good. Rest today and prepare yourselves. We will need a plan. The scouts have been out, and we have preliminary contact with the First Children. The Gray Garrison will be no easy task for you. It is a fortified place, much like this one, and all of the remaining cultists will be using it much like we are using the Defender's Heart."
Fabian will make sure that his companions are safe, and have received any magic they need to restore sight and health.
He will then seek out Aravashnial and inquire as to how the elf is doing. He will tell Aravashnial what has happened, in case he has not heard. (Is Aravashnial still blind?)
"I wanted to talk to you about the Riftwardens. What is the status of your order what with everything that has happened? As I grow in my knowledge of the arcane, I am finding that I may have some interest in joining your order. Is this something that is a possibility, and that might be a good path for me as we continue our fight against the cultists and whatever foul plan it is behind everything they're doing?"
Aravashnial turns his head slightly as you speak - he is indeed still blind. "The Order? The Riftwardens are no more, friend. They were destroyed with Blackwing. Only myself and Quednys remain, along with the others you rescued."
Looking at those surviving maps of Kenebras Bollwerk shakes his head. "It is a long way, and I am convinced that we will face a great concentration of enemys there. I can carry another one or two quivers of arrow for Farasha, and we should try to get some more supplies, like holy water and other methods of fighting. Farasha, Fabian and Sjurd, think about potions and scrolls you might need. Kazul, do you need any special items to breach barricaded doors or windows. I do not mind carrying a ram with me if you think that can help!"
Thank you Bollwerk, I really should learn the trick of making one arrow in to many at some stage, but I do so love to craft them myself!
she muses
Let us see what is available and how it might best serve our needs. I feel we should get one night's rest and then press on immediately after breakfast.
Talking to Aravashnial
"Then perhaps it is time to start rebuilding your order," Fabian says. "Would you be willing to teach me your ways?"
"Also," Fabian says, "my group is going to be heading to Old Kebares to attempt to destroy the wardstone fragment there, before the Baphomet cultists are able to use its power for something horrible. Is there anything you can tell me about how we will go about destroying the wardstone fragment? I want to make sure we're as prepared as possible going in, and that we will know what we will need to do."
Elsewhere
Assuming he's able to find something in the library, Fabian would like to scribe Make Whole into his spellbook.
After that, he will cast Make Whole on the broken Phylactery of Faithfulness that we found, which should restore it. (The CL for that item is 1, so Fabian is high enough level to restore it.)
"Does anybody want this? If not, we should trade or sell this for something we might be able to use ourselves. We want to be as prepared as possible before we go against our next trial."
From Aravashnial
"I do not know Fabian," the blind elf sighs. "Should we live through the next days, then we shall see. As far as destroying the fragment, I beleve Quednys and Irabeth have a plan for that. We will meet tomorrow and discuss our strategy."
"Another potion of invisibility would be great. I have heard there are potions that turn one to mist. May prove helpful in breaking into a garrison."
The next morning finds the Defender's Heart bustling with activity. You arise to find assault preparations already underway. In the main room of the tavern, knights and soldiers move about, sharpening swords and donning armor. Men open fresh crates of supplies, having unloaded them from wagons covered in black cloth that arrived the night before.
A large table in the center of all of this activity draws your attention, and Irabeth signals you as soon as she notices your arrival.
"Good, good," she says pointing to a spot on the large map of Kenabres rolled out on the table in front of her. "we will strike here and here. The First Children can support by quick strikes from below: here, here, and here."
She looks up again. "Good morning all. I'm glad to find you awake and refreshed."
You notice that there is a large group gathered about the map. Irabeth, Anevia, Aravashnial, Horgus, Quednys, Lann and Chief Sull. All look at you with grim faces. Grim, yet with an underlying current of hope. Irabeth begins:
"All of Kenabres' greatest defenders have fallen. Terendelev, Lord Hulrun, the rest. It falls upon us to save the city and stop Vorlesh from using the Wardstone fragment to destroy the crusader armies. I don't need to tell you the price of failure."
She pauses.
"Our task today is a difficult one: assault the Gray Garrison, and destroy the Wardstone fragment. To that end, Quednys has a plan." She reaches out to the Riftwarden's leader, who hands her a long, thin object wrapped in black velvet. Irabeth loosens the wrapping and draws out a silver rod topped with a green gem. "This Rod of Cancellation must be used to drain the last of the power from the fragment. Doing so will take away the chink in the Wardstone armor that Vorlesh needs to cause her calamity." She wraps the Rod back in its velvet.
"Only an elite group such as yourselves can achieve this. But you will not fight alone. We will coordinate several strikes against the cultists, timed to coincide with your assault and draw support away from the Gray Garrison. I will lead the remaining crusaders in these strikes. Chief Sul here has promised the support of the First Children..." At this, the Chief bows and smiles. "...who will conduct hit-and-run attacks from beneath the city. Horgus Gwerm has provided us with fresh supplies: weapons and armor and other gear, smuggling them to us last night. And there's more: Aravashnial?"
The blind elf signals to a group of men, who bring up a rather large chest.
"I managed to locate a secret cache of Riftwarden supplies, set aside for just such an occasion. I wasn't sure it had survived. It was retrieved from its hiding place last night and brought here."
He opens the chest to reveal the following:
8 potions of Cure Serious Wounds
4 potions of Lesser Restoration
10 +1 evil outsider bane arrows
a Chime of Opening
a masterwork cold iron falchion
a +1 heavy steel shield
a wand of Magic Missile (CL5th, 31 charges)
a wand Daylight (24 charges)
"The assault begins when you are ready."
"I am ready. Everyone pick what he needs of those weapons and armor.... and then we can distribute the rest! We will bring the fight to our enemys and they will fall!"
We are glad to be of service Irabeth, and will carry out our mission or die trying
Farasha looks over the assorted contents of the chest.
I think it an idea if Kazul, Bollwerk and Sjurd take two healing potions each, Fabian and I will take one each. Aside from that I'll take the arrows and wand of Daylight if no-one objects
Even fully geared she simply wears a breastplate over one of her long dresses. A second glance reveals it to be the same one gifted to her by the owner's of that clothes shop, mere days ago. Made anew from its tattered state cleaning up oil from the people rescued from the cultists. Farasha smiles at Fabian's assistance using his magic to clean the garment.
Checking her quivers are in position for a quick draw she nods, ready to move out.