”What are we destroying?” Greta asks from the staircase as she finishes wiping cultist off her hammer.
"An evil idol," calls Benedic.
”Show me what to hit,” the tiny knight offers with a smile.
Selann shrugs and points at the head. "It's magical and evil. Not sure what it really does though. Maybe crushing it will work? Or, if Benedic can take it down, probably without directly touching it.... maybe it could just be burned? Benedic, Could you get a rope around it and drag it?"
Hesitantly, Benedic reaches toward the idol and pulls it off the wall, then gives it to Greta.
Greta thoughtfully applies her hammer to the delicate task of smashing the vile idol into a million tiny pieces.
Interesting, not what I would have expected to find here; but I am incapable of deceit in this room. The elf muses as Greta smashes the idol into little pieces.
Ah, that seems to have removed the compulsion. Many thanks Greta.
Once clear Selann moves into that room as well searching for anything of value or use.
Underneath this pile of treasure are several items that are significantly more practical: a masterfully crafted longsword, along with two equally well-made scimitars. You also find a wand and a tiny box with a broken leather cord.
Finally, in a tightly wrapped bundle next to all of this, you find treasure of an entirely different sort: documents. Skimming through them reveals that these are a record of the cult's movements throughout 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. Though it's too late to help Kenabres, many of the names are unfamiliar to you and may correspond to agents in other cities. At the bottom of this miserable pile of secrets is a short note in immaculate handwriting, addressed to Faxon from one Minagho.
You did well to report your superior's mishandling of funds, and I trust that you will continue to serve as loyally in the weeks to come. You need not command the Kenabres Templars for long, for the city is about to die—I only wish I could be there to take part in its murder, for I have fond memories of my Red Morning Massacre. No matter, I suppose, for your mortal kin will all fall soon enough—as I said, Kenabres’s days are short. Vorlesh has already left to meet with our Lord's daughter in the Abyss to secure a Nahyndrian crystal of the proper purity, and once she has what she needs, she'll arrive in Kenabres to finish the job and turn the wardstones fully to our use. You will know when she succeeds, I suspect! Praise Lord Baphomet!
Minagho
Vorlesh, you already know as the woman rumored to have helped open the Worldwound in the first place.
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Massielo finally enters the room, after seeing that its magic is not that dangerous. After opening the chest with Faxon's key, he takes a look at everything and the first thing he says is "I wonder if we can find the owners for these household items." He seems sad that so many things have been taken, which means that many lives were taken.
After examining the wand, he says "This has magic that can enchant weapons with divine goodness. It can be very good! Seems to have about 20 uses left."
He doesn't recognize the box nor any of the things mentioned in the note. He says "This list of names... We should take it to an authority as soon as possible." As the others sort through the items, Massielo takes the time to copy the names mentioned for backup.
Junior thinks for a moment, "Oh yeah! The Red Morning Massacre that happened during the War of the Five Kings and this Lord David... Oh wait that was a different Red thing. The Red Morning Massacre happened like 75 years ago, or was it 100? Anyway a demon managed to get into Kenabres in disguise and then murdered way too many people. It disappeared a few minutes later and later came to rule a Worldwound city called Raliscrad. I wonder if we'll get to meet them, maybe meet some justice."
Junior adds as an afterthought, "That box will allow the religious type figure out what their god wants from them. Gotta fix it up though."
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Massielo listens attentively to Junior's explanation. He says "Why does this note refer to this event, then? Are they planning something of the sort?" He thinks of his parents in Defender's Heart. He just found out they're safe, only to receive the indication that they might not be. Massielo starts to get a little gloomy and leaves the room.
Greta looks around unsure exactly how to proceed. "We do need to get these names and other bits of information to someone safely," she offers, "so, we could head right back to Defender's Heart and report to Commander Tirabade. But, if this Minagho was the one responsible for the Red Morning Massacre she can clearly disguise herself, so maybe setting an ambush here would be wise, instead of giving her a chance to sneak into a camp?"
The petite warrior takes a deep breath and a look of concern settles on her face. "She wrote 'your mortal kin' though... that kind of sounds like maybe she isn't mortal. Are we ready to face a demon powerful enough to be leading human soldiers? I'm willing to die for the cause, but maybe we should head back to make sure this gets passed on first, and then we could see how the commander wants to handle it? There might even be others who could help with an ambush?"
Let us check the other site, then report back to Commander Tirablade with what we've found here.
Listening to what Greta's thoughts are Caliban continues, You are correct, it does sound as if she is not mortal, at least not any longer. I do think we, perhaps with Irabeth's support, can stand against her however.
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Massielo says "I agree. The other site might have more information and we can bundle it to report. Maybe it can give us a little more insight about who to trust." He has grown confident with this group of people, and it hasn't occurred to him the possibility that they may be in over their heads going to the other site.
Junior pulls out Fred and runs the coin across the note, "What is it? Is there something there?" After a moment of silence Junior's eyes go wide, "So the attack was to get to the wardstone? Oh no."
Junior turns to the rest of the group and says, "Guys, guys, guys. Fred thinks that the attack was to get to the Wardstone. See here the letter's talking about how this Vorlesh lady needs these crystals and that she's coming here to finish us and turn the wardstone to their use. I don't think its a coincidence that The Storm King led the attack. He cracked the Kenebres wardstone during the 4th crusade. So the Kenebres wardstone is damaged and they're going to use that weakness to destroy the wardstone or corrupt it or something. And and and didn't you say Caliban? That Vorlesh created the worldwound. I think she probably has the magical chops to do it if that's true. We need to secure the wardstone and soon."
"We can still check out Topaz but let's run. I even have a song for it."
Caliban stops in his tracks, I think you, or Fred rather, may be correct. Vorlesh would have the chops magically to do this - provided these crystals do what we suspect. Perhaps the attack was to weaken us sufficiently that they could then strike at the Wardstone unobstructed by Crusader interference. As they hustle to Junior's song, I do think this uncovering has merit and we should proceed as if this is the intention of the assault and the actions of the cultists to provide a cover for Vorlesh to strike the Wardstone, which would have the effect of allowing demonic forces to enter the Worldwound more freely than they already can. a grim look crosses the elf's face as they head to the next suspected cultist stronghold...
Selann is shocked by the details obtained. "If they destroy the wardstone here would that give them a large enough hole to run and army of demons across the world? We need to alert Commander Tirablade at the Defenders Heart. Call for help and send all available forces to protect the wardstone! Do we dare risk going to Topaz and this knowledge not getting to the leaders here?"
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Massielo's jaw drops as Junior explains what he found. As the other discuss, many thought run through his head. He finally says "I... I don't think we'll be able to storm the wardstone by ourselves. We'll need the crusaders for that. I think we should return to Defender's Heart to gather our forces. If this is true... then we need to act fast and rally our forces."
Tristan awaits the others upstairs keeping a weathered eye out for any more cultists.
Once everyone returns upstairs, the discussion turning to connecting the Demon Dots to form the theory of the attack being an red herring to allow the Ward Stone to be targeted without interference; the Inquisitor claps Junior on the back.
Right! That is some really good detective work! Topaz then?
When Greta volunteers to message the information back to the Heart, Tristan nods.
Keep it secret; keep it safe.
The Inquisitor will take the lead to Topaz...
Junior frowns, he's not used to having world threatening responsibility, he always dreamed of it and being the glorious hero to save the world. But now that he was in that role he found it incredibly stressful. "Uh... Selann and Massielo you're right we should let Irabeth and the others know, we should go together too. We have seven chances of delivering the message instead of one. It will take Irabeth some time to gather her forces we can use that time to investigate Topaz Solutions."
Correction! To Defender's Heart first!
The return journey to the inn is a faster one, but no less stressful. You are scarcely within the barricade when Irabeth rushes over to you, the clanking of her armor giving you plenty of advance notice.
"You've back already! Did something happen?" she asks, her face and voice full of concern as she looks over each of you, searching for signs of injury.
Greta offers whatever salute seems typical among the knights and reports, “we cleared out the next safehouse, ma’am. We were going to continue on to the Topaz... one, but we recovered some information that we thought was too pressing to risk having it lost with us if we failed.”[b] Handing her the papers she explains,[b] “these are the documents we found, but I’ll let Junior or one of our companions explain why they seemed so pressing.”
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Massielo steps forward and says worried "We think the demons might be planning some sort of action at the Wardstone. They could unleash a dozen armies of the Abyss into the world if they can corrupt the stone. We may need to gather the crusaders to... well, stop that. Also, this list of names is troublesome. There might be more traitors than we realize."
Caliban calmly surveys the situation, and tells Irabeth what he suspects from what 'Fred' laid out for them. Commander Irabeth, we suspect that the Ritualist Vorlesh, who was responsible for opening the Worldwound, intends something with the Wardstone and what is called a Nahyndrian Crystal which she is securing somewhere in the Abyss. This Minagho, seems to be coordinating logistics and betrayal of the mortals involved in the conspiracy here in Kenabres.
Breathing deeply and looking at Junior for confirmation, As the Storm King weakened the Wardstone here in the 4th Crusade, we suspect that these crystals would be used to destroy or subvert the Wardstone to the demonic forces' purposes.
Junior smiles weakly, "What they said."
Selann stays in the background. He has nothing to add and wants to be out to Topaz, and then maybe to the defense of the Wardstone?
Tristan gives his report quickly.
We must move on to Topaz soon. We need more information about their Wardstone Gambit!
As you relay your findings, Irabeth's expression shifts from concern, to surprise, and then determination.
"This is extremely troubling news. I'll have our agents look over these documents you've found. Whatever their plan for the wardstone is, we'll need to stop it. I'm awaiting a report on its current whereabouts, and hope to have it by the time you return from Topaz. In the meantime, check in with our quartermaster. There's another coffer waiting for you there, as thanks for recovering this intelligence."
Caliban nods at Irabeth, and quickly moves with the group to get to Topaz Solutions, Massielo's right, we should get there quickly and return to figure out what the next steps must be. the elf looks grimly at the others, ready to depart.
Greta nods in agreement with her companions and heads for the street. Positioning herself at the front of the group, with her hammer at the ready, she asks ”alright, how do we get to the topaz place?”
Benedic adjusts his shield and prepares to continue. He is still a bit distracted going over recent events in his mind, and he is somewhat troubled by the threat to the Wardstones, but he tries to put on an optimistic front. "Come, come, soon we will together have the whole city well in hand," he says with grim enthusiasm.
Once the decision is made Selann moves to get the the front of the group heading back out. "Only way to fight demons, hit hard and fast!"
The trek to Topaz Solutions takes you between two more great furrows through the earth, though you manage to keep Defender's Heart in sight for most of it. Whether due to that improvised fort's proximity, or the large size and well-equipped nature of your party, no one and no thing accosts you. Soon, you find yourself nearing your target.
A wooden sign above the door bears a carving of a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with smoking orange liquid. The building’s windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
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As they walk over, Massielo remembers life in Kenabres before all the craziness. They pass a corner where he liked to play with throwing horseshoes on pins when he was a child. He was never good at it, but he never missed it. In another corner, he remembers eating a sandwich while having a heart to heart conversation with his father. It was full of rubble now. Everywhere there were reminders of how horrible the attack was.
Reaching the Topaz Solutions, Massielo approaches the door and pries it open, curious.
As the group reaches their target Selann reaches into his pouch and activates the dragon scale again. Feeling supernaturally alert reminds him of the sacrifice the great dragon had made for them.
He moves up by the door as Massielo moves it, scanning the area beyond. "Other than the door this place looks pretty secure."
Tristan moves warily through the misshapen streets; littered with fallen debris and jagged rocks.
The Inquisitor views the Topaz Solution. He looks about the surrounding buildings, lots, foliage for any signs of recent traffic.
He casts Guidance.
The interior of the shop is far from empty, however, as a trio of armed men stand and turn to face the party as you enter, nervous smiles on their faces. Two pairs of other men stand further back. Each of them is clad in the same dirty uniforms, though they don't look like crusaders. Mercenaries, probably.
The closest man raises a hand up cautiously in a gesture of peace. "Hey there, friends. We're not looking for any kind of trouble."
Caliban keeps a cautious eye on them, and somewhat skeptically looks at his companions, What do we think friends?
Junior sizes them up and asks, "So what's going on here? Gathering new materials for the archive perhaps?"
Greta watches the interactions unfold and wonders why everyone seems to be taking such a different approach this time. Giving Massielo a nudge with her elbow she quietly asks, "shouldn't someone try saying the words?"
Selann moves in by Junior, "So.... If you're not looking for trouble, well that's good. But what are you looking for? And who are you working for?"
After not seeing anything useful amongst the foliage around the building, Tristan enters the building lastly.
The Inquisitor looks at the current occupants with a bit of a thoughtful expression.