Is that all you have to say? Why is that mantra important?
Roidira raises a single eyebrow; she doesn't seem entirely pleased with Stonelance's answer. Then one should cling to what you see as meaning, even as you embrace ignorance?
Why Drorlud, I haven't done anything to my followers except allow them to see themselves more clearly. If Eamon apologizes for his rudeness, he will rejoin us soon.
Between Lynn and Drorlud, you're able to further explain your reasoning, including a proper sense of being willing to discard your own beliefs as well as ignore those of other peoples.
Roidira smiles and claps quietly as she passes her gaze along you again. Good.
Thus you have learned the true significance of emptiness. Tell me, as a good Roidiran, then, do you believe in nothing?
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Eamon meanders in the darkness a bit. Well I'm conscious..I think? Am I dead...no, I'd be in paradise with Iomedea...so this must be some kind of magic. Eamon tries to call out to Iomeda but, hears or feels nothing. So this is a test of faith or something? I need to prove my self to this false Goddess? What is that, Amal al-Sahba said," A void is not silent; it screams with its utter pointlessness until it is the only sound your very soul can hear?.." Eamon screams at the top of his lungs, What what do you want?
"If Eamon apologizes for his rudeness, he will rejoin us soon."
Eamon is stunned at hearing the demi-god's voice. At first he starts to hurl another insult then he reconsiders. Whatever happens, I will be welcomed by Iomedea. But, this creature may have my friends. Perhaps some manors are in order. Is that it? Is that what you require? Very well...I'm ...I'm sorry I was rude. Eamon's mouth suddenly taste foul.
Eamon's eyes clear, his ears unstop, and he is able to rejoin the conversation. The first thing he sees is Roidira smiling once more. I see that you doubt the wisdom of my philosophy. Good. There is no mastery that can come as received wisdom.
Now for my final question: is true knowledge even possible?
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Lynn looked back at the others. True knowledge what could she mean? Being able to throw away your own current beliefs and those of others and no mastery inside received wisdom. So we cannot learn from others. her brow furrowed thinking harshly upon the last question.
"I'm not certain but im not sure exactly what true knowledge is in this case but, i don't know everything, i couldn't possibly know everything even about what your asking us. No matter how many books i delve through by your philosophy i would gain nothing from it. If we are to find out everything and that is true knowledge, but we must also do it on our own, i don't believe it possible. Us mortals we aren't really good at doing everything ourselves so we must rely on the help of others." She motioned to the others, "While i could sing a ballad or dance to any tune, im sure none of the others have those skills. I surely do not have a steady trained hand with a crossbow as our friend stonelance does. I am sure Eamon did not find and learn all about his faith by himself, just as much of my knowledge comes from the writing of others and is therefore fake knowledge by your logic. So... no i don't believe it possible.
The tanned woman squeezed her eyes as she wrapped up her thoughts praying to Caid that her definition of true knowledge was correct.
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Eamon is brewing inside. The indigence of this being was wearing on him. He did recognize that this entity, (He would not give in to the temptation of continuing to think it was a God!) as a powerful being. But, he was tired of playing games. He suspected that any creature that could send him to the void like place, he early experienced; could also kill him on a whim. So Eamon answered truly.
is true knowledge even possible?
My friend and colleague Lynn, may not know how to answer Roidira. But, I have an answer for myself! Eamon steps forward, afraid but confident in his convictions, for the first time in a while. Faith is the answer. Through, faith it is possible to obtain true knowledge. I once thought my faith was only reserved for Iomedea. But, I've since learned it serves me well to have faith in myself and sometimes even faith in one's friends. Eamon looks around to the others and offers a smile...not knowing what happens next. I figure my Goddess won't begrudge me sharing my faith because, I've learned so much about myself and others through it. But, enough of this. If your purpose is to destroy us get on with it I say! I certainly have no faith in you! Eamon looks to the pitiful, supplicant Roidirans nearby, and I never will!
Eamon steps back to his place with the others. Sure that he'll be struck down for his insolence. But, feeling overwhelmingly satisfied.|
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Oh Eamon you are going to get yourself zapped again!
Well if you define true knowledge as knowing without a doubt that something is a fact then no. and you could probably claim that even reality is subjective. But the way we define knowledge is through observation and experimentation. and society as a whole will build upon these observations improving upon what we deem to be knowledge. we certainly cant claim that we have "true knowledge" but its a lot closer than we are likely to get than if we where walking around claiming that everything is nothing and staring into space!
Roidira smiles and exhales, as if a burden has been lifted. So, you claim at least some understanding. Very well. You have mastered the ways of the tongue, now let us test the deepest rafters of your mind.
Now you may drink from this fountain of enlightenment, she says, as she gestures to the pool beneath her feet. Sup on the knowledge that shall shatter all you hold dear, she says, with a strange edge of intensity. All of you, step forth.
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Oh Eamon, you are going to get yourself zapped again!
If you count "true knowledge" as knowing without a doubt that something is true then you are right we cant. but how we define knowledge is via observation and experimentation, the whole of society collectively adds to these observations and we further our knowledge. it may not be a perfect system of working, and it may be that we are mistaken about things. but I feel it works a lot better than just staring into space all day claiming that everything is nothing........ and I must politely decline your offer. I have my own water thanks
and takes a sip out of his skin
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Lynn tentatively steps forward more a little less sure of herself now but getting like it is her duty as a pathfinder to free these people. She kneels next to the water and scoops it into her hands. Giving one last look up at the figure of Roidira before slurping it down as ceremoniously as possible given the circumstances.
Standing in the pool, she produces a long, curved sword. Leaning her head back, strong arms skillfully maneuver the sword until its point presses into her starry robes. With a single breath and thrust, she runs herself through and dissolves into the pool, a shower of white feathers fluttering down before all fades to black.
So-called “Roidirans” became what I despised: inflexible dogmatists who put posturing performance before the pursuit of truth. Instead of walking Roidira’s Road as a way of life, they thought of it as a road with a destination.
So, I gave them one: this place, where I could crush their stupidity in one fell swoop. They think signs with childish drawings that mock other divinities are my way? They think my path is one of street brawls and shouting evangelism? They are worse than you, lower than you, for they know less than nothing. Emptiness was not to be an end in itself, but a
beginning. These fools, she gestured to the mute Roidirans, never understood that. Thus, I took from them the one thing they loved most. Myself. What I do now is beyond their comprehension, as it is beyond yours. Farewell.
Lynn and Eamon seem to drift out of focus, clearly seeing something other than what lies before them here. There eyes are distant, but lack the same look of hopeless despair that has filled many of the Roidirans you've seen. A flash of pain seems to cross Lynn's face for a moment, but Eamon doubles over as the power of whatever vision he's seeing proves more than he can fully contain.
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Eamon sputters *cough*...*hack*...*argh!* I feel like my guts have been twisted around my waist! Eamon takes out the healing potion given to him by Amal al-Sahba and downs it. Eamon then looks to the pitiful worshipers of Rodira. fools they don't even know their Goddess has abandoned them! Eamon then looks over to Lynn seeing her still in a stupor.
Lynn...Lynn! are you alright...Lynn! Eamon kneels in front of the woman and begins to shake her gently.
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seeing his companions eyes glaze over Drorlud runs over and desperately tries to shake them out of their trance. it seems to have no effect.
What have you done with them? shouting at Roidira.
Stoneleance? any ideas pal? guess we need to look for a way to get them out of this trance, maybe back at the town there will be an apothecary? wierd magic curses isnt my specialty!
Lynn returns from her second vision with a start.
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Eamon see's Lynn's eyes flutter open, Oh thank the Inheritor! I thought I'd lost you! Eamon starts grasping for her belt pouch, Here! the healing potion Amal al-Sahba gave you...take it, you'll feel better! Eamon has a bit of high pitched desperation in his voice. Quiet you fool! She's proved she can take care of herself...why are you fussing about like a 1st year class-man at the annual school ball?
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As Lynn was taken under the visions her eyes went blank staring out into nothing. They closed shortly after and her body went limp, to those that hadnt taken up the offer of Roidira's holy font Lynn's form rippled, shedding away to reveal a set of three red tails with white tips. Lynn's light clothing puffed out a bit as her fur came back into her real image and her cowl peeked up as her ears returned. By the time Eamon came to her shift back into her natural form had completed.
"What happened... Eamon thank you but i have no need for po-" it seemed ahe realized what had happened her hands were covered in her red-orange hair again and tipped with small claws. Her voice froze in her throat as she looked at Eamon.
Roidira turns to Drorlud and Stonelance, Will you drink as well? Or will you turn aside from Revelation?
Roidira laughs, her voice tinged with scorn and something... darker, Of course You would see truth as an affliction. Faith is after all its antithesis.
So be it.
In an instant, Roidira is gone as if she never was. The water's glow fades, and its smell becomes stale.
The Roidirans who kept their silent vigil near the pool look up at you, eyes anguished.
So, you know too now. She does not exist. How are we to contemplate existence without even the solace of emptiness?
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Eamon looks at the Roidirans with disgust. You know what? Your doesn't even want you! Yeah that's right she told me herself she despises you. She set you in this place with this drugged water because she thinks you're stupid! She said you were lower than unbelievers, so unworthy of her attention she took herself away from you! Does this sound like someone you want to follow?... Eamon as incredulously. Is this how you want to live the remainder of your lives? ...Scribbling nonsense on walls to a Goddess who doesn't care? Do the only thing you can to get your lives back...leave this place and seek emptiness or whatever else you seek, someplace else. This place, and the Goddess that it honors...no longer want you.
Eamon, stands up rest his open palm on the pommel of his sword. He eyes Lynn from the corner of his eye, still not sure what he's scene, or what she is.
He looks to the remaining Roidarins, to see if anything he said, sunk in.
There's a long pause before one of them speaks, He's right. There's nothing for us here. We'll leave with you.
Back at the temple Al-Sahba eagerly awaits your news. She's enjoying a later dinner with Meriwether as you arrive, and bids you join them as the first of many rewards for your hard work. Tell me, what have you learned?
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Lynn wanted so badly to explain the situatio to Eamon but found herself for a lose of words until they reached the outside of the cave once more. "I'm sorry for lying to you all... this is who i really am. A kitsune, though i wish you to know that everything i have told you has been true aside from that, and that i humbly request that you do not let other members of the society onto this fact."
Her body started to morph into her human form again. "It is not easy lying to everyone about my heritage, but please know that it is for the best. Eamon to you i am especially sorry, this probably shook your faith in what we talked about before we left for the shrine."
The look on her face showed that she really felt bad about lying to him and the others.
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Eamon to you i am especially sorry, this probably shook your faith in what we talked about before we left for the shrine."
Eamon is too proud, to admit that he was affected by Lynn's words. He brushes off the comment, with a wave of his hand. What does it mater to me what you choose to masquerade as? The Society..is surely over-run with Charlatans, of one type or another....I'm sure no one will worry about your presence... Eamon sniffs; the noise, is quite obliviously, a gesture meant to be dismissive....least of all me...
Eamon is quiet and petulant on the journey back. Often snapping at the former Roidirans, for minor infractions, such as interrupting his alone time. He reflects constantly on the lost silly souls that gave their life for a Goddess who despised them. He also reflects on Lynn's words meant to reassure his faith. Most of all he reflected on Lynn's deception. Well of coarse she had to do it... Eamon reasons. But, why she didn't tell me when I barred almost all I had to her? Eamon struggles not to bite his lower lip. He looks over his shoulder to make sure no one was near. Grabbing the sand of the desert floor he squeezed until his hand was aching; then tossed it away..as Roidira had her disciples. *murmur* woman.... who needs them anyway.
When Eamon is presented to Al-Sahba again, he is a changed man. No longer in awe of the beautiful priestess, or envious of her wife. He delivers a report to her in the most strait forward and professional way he had been trained to. He detailed, their investigation and pursuit of the Roidirans through the desert in to the jungles. What the discovered at the shrines and recounted the battles and the general disbanding of the cult. He left out the more personal aspects of Roidira's visions but, went in to extensive detail about her apparent abandonment of the cult and her over-all disdain for her followers. Eamon is careful to temper his report about the vision, with a cautionary note; making sure Al-Sahba knew that Eamon had determined the waters were drugged and therefore, his and Lynn's reasoning suspect. Lastly Eamon presents one of the former cultist to Al-Sahba so that he might testify to the events he had witnessed and profess his own change of heart.
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As Eamon and Drorlud shared their thoughts Lynn fell silent, her previous joyous and elated attitude falling beneath a face caught between thought and worry. At Eamon's mention of other charlatans she looked about to protest but stopped as he snorted she retreated inward once more.
Lynn waited quietly and said nothing as Eamon gave his section of the report, though she went into some detail about her visions but made it clear that she was not sure if they were more of a warning or just the last thoughts of a 'goddess'. She made sure that she doubled up on Eamon's warning should the cultist refuse.
What unspeakable cruelty. I have no love for the Roidiran faith, but surely her followers deserved better than losing their goddess among a sea of riddles. Questions of divine philosophy can be the most challenging questions we face. It is not surprising that a divinity known for cloaking herself in secrets would make such questions even more unapproachable. Yet, I believe there is much to consider with what you have said. Perhaps the paradox of Roidira’s nature could be understood through the lens of other absences that we tend to give names. It could be, in that sense, that as cold is the absence of heat, ignorance is the absence of knowledge, and darkness is the absence of light, Roidira represents the absence of something else. While I have studied theology extensively, you have seen more of Roidira’s nature than I have. No matter the faith, she who experiences the touch of the divine becomes an authority the wise should heed.
She takes a deep breath and continues, The satrap wishes for me to find a way to discredit both the White Feather and the Roidiran cult. In truth, I am uneasy about treating both in the same way. If you were to have your say, how would you have me use the knowledge you uncovered at the shrine?
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Eamon impatient with the whole ordeal, tries to remain patient and professional. If your asking my opinion high priestess, I'd forgo discrediting the white feather. Their own machinations and miss-trust, will eat them away internally or not. They have little to do with the Roidirans in my opinion. As for Roidira, she won't be coming back. Not many worshipers of Aroden left in Golarion, as it is with all dead Gods. Roidira left her worshipers therefore, she's dead to them..report likewise to satrap. Then perhaps the church of Sarenrae can fill the void left in the lives of the lost. My own Goddess Iomedea, did much the same thing for her worshipers. Eamon bows and waits for a response from Al-Sahba.
Your words are wise. I give thanks to you and to your Society for the aid you have brought us here. May Sarenrae's light guide you in your travels.
She idly glances at the signet rings you still bear, Please do keep those, as a token of my esteem.