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Lyoto is confused and growing rapidly bored watching people stare at a wall, So he blurts a question out to the group.
Didn't one of those notes say something about some guy taking secrets to his grave? Akrgayh or something? Maybe we should check out that guys' tomb for clues? Some people say stuff and take it real literally ya know." He says while shrugging his shoulders.
" I mean Worst case, we don't find nothing and we come back here. That wall isn't gonna change tomorrow right?"
Henry: none of these names spur your memory at all, although since they are likely fake names, that isn't surprising.
[History: When Aroden created the city of Absalom, he raised up the meteorite than had destroyed most of the world, and ensconced it into the Starstone Catherdral at the heart of the city. Since that time, thousands of mortals have attempted the Test of the Starstone - succeeding in the test elevates a mortal to a god. Failing the test means you are never seen again. Several mortals have succeeded in the Test: Norberger was first, then Iomedae, and finally Cayden Caylean, who did it on a drunken dare. No others have succeeded, but thousands have tried... and failed.]
In this case, "silence and serenity" is the attempted portfolio posthumously assigned to the nameless Muted God, who attempted the Test of the Starstone sometime in the 1500's A.R. The Sixteen Poses was the desired portfolio of the Vudran sorcerer Oggo, who attempted the test sometime in the first millenium of Absalom's existence. The Screaming Fear refers to the witch king Zimpar, who disappeared into the Starstone Cathedral in approximately 1243 A.R. All three, and many more besides, are memorialized in the Shrine of the Failed, a temple complex adjacent to the Starstoen Cathedral in Ascendant Court.
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We may asked for assistance to other more knowledgeable Pathfinder about these names and epitaphs ? After all we are in the Grand Lodge !
Said Henry frustrated to not seeing the big picture.
Also, may be the other location could be of help to understand the meaning behind these names and epitaphs...
The only thing that Fargrim notices doesn't involve the names at all. Each of the epitaphs seems to relate to something else, and not a real reason for death. In fact, as you look at them, they all end with a concept, almost like a mandate. And then you see it: all three of these epitaphs refer to areas of responsibility for a deity. Now, there is no god of silence and serenity, or of the Sixteen Poses, or of the screaming fear... but there are mortals who tried to become gods of those portfolios. Although the names are still false, all three epitaphs refer to people who took the Test of the Starstone and failed.
[History: When Aroden created the city of Absalom, he raised up the meteorite than had destroyed most of the world, and ensconced it into the Starstone Catherdral at the heart of the city. Since that time, thousands of mortals have attempted the Test of the Starstone - succeeding in the test elevates a mortal to a god. Failing the test means you are never seen again. Several mortals have succeeded in the Test: Norberger was first, then Iomedae, and finally Cayden Caylean, who did it on a drunken dare. No others have succeeded, but thousands have tried... and failed.]
In this case, "silence and serenity" is the attempted portfolio posthumously assigned to the nameless Muted God, who attempted the Test of the Starstone sometime in the 1500's A.R. The Sixteen Poses was the desired portfolio of the Vudran sorcerer Oggo, who attempted the test sometime in the first millenium of Absalom's existence. The Screaming Fear refers to the witch king Zimpar, who disappeared into the Starstone Cathedral in approximately 1243 A.R. All three, and many more besides, are memorialized in the Shrine of the Failed, a temple complex adjacent to the Starstoen Cathedral in Ascendant Court.
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"Never understood why there's a Shrine of the Failed at all. It's blasphemy, really, for anyone to think they can do what Iomedae did. The Test of the Starstone was designed by the other gods specifically for her, to prove her glory and strength. To commemorate people who thought they could do it too..." He chuckles and shakes his head. "It would be like having an elaborate tomb to remember people who tried to overthrow the Society."
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Lyoto responds to Silas.
"Nothin personal, but I heard someone passed it after her on a drunken dare." he said. "Anyway, I don't see what's wrong with making a memorial for people who had the guts to try. If thousands failed it, it's gotta be really freaking hard."
Lyoto answers Fargrim.
"Anyway, that sounds like a great idea Fargrim! I'm going wherever you're going and I'll do my best!"
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Silas waves a scaled hand dismissively. "Of course no one passed it on a drunken dare. The test was how Iomedae proved herself and became a goddess. It's stories like that that you have to be careful with; I've heard lots of people say that this god or that ascended by passing the Test. Nonsense, of course, all of it. Demons spread rumors like that to try and detract from the Inheritor's glory. Most people aren't flat-out lying, of course," he adds. "They've just been given false information. The Lady of Justice was once mortal, and became divine-- that, my friend, is the Truth, and the Truth outshines all lies."
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"Oh it wasn't the goodly gods that left it there, they got rid of it once it was no longer needed. Asmodeus and other demons used their evil magic to bring the Test back, to tempt us mortals into thinking that some of us might be as glorious as the great Inheritor. Lies, of course. But you might have a good point about keeping the Shrine of the Failed around-- maybe it'll remind others that only Iomedae was worthy to take the Test. All human glory falls so short of hers."
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Henry looked at Silas with amusement
You know, scaly friend, that Iomedae, before ascending to godhood was Aroden's herald ? And she was as human as me before ascending ? Stop speaking non sense, this drunk of a god Cayden is the proof of that, anyone can passed the Test. Few could survive it, only god material people could.
As seemed to be your goddess or others.
For myself I prefer to pray a true god like Abadar. But I could see why someone want to follow Iomedae. She's a paragon of Justice and Good Behavior. I've already seen good man took her path and becoming paladin.
If it was still alive, or active, I will seek Aroden's path but as you may know his not around anymore ... even if I heard of some "cleric" of his among our pears !
Anyway, these epitaphs seemed to be connected to this Temple of human hubris. A look upon it could be good but I wonder if there is more to be found in Arkath's tomb as he seemed to have keeping his last secret in it.
In my point of view, there is more to look for in this true tomb than in this "Shrine of the Failed". But I could be wrong.
Nevertheless, as a soldier I suggest we take the shortest path. I will go first visit the gnome's house, in the Wise Quarter, then the Shrine of the Failed, then Arkath's tomb.
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Lyoto's head is spinning a little from this debate. He decides to wait for Fargrim's decision and he'll probably go with her. That said, he won't ignore Henry's suggestion, since he gained some respect for him after seeing him take out that lizard.
"OK I dunno if a drunk passed the test or not, but whatever that's. Anyway, I don't remember what the gnome has to do with this, if you could remind me I'd appreciate it. I mean I guess we could go that route, but somebody smarter than me once said the quickest path isn't always the wisest path.
You head north, past the sprawling campus of the Arcanamirium, arguably one of the finest magical colleges in the world. How do you wish to locate Fimbriok's house?
Fimbrik's house is a two-story brick affair with round towers at each corner. A brick step leads to the front entrance. Numerous stacks of newspapers—roughly 2 years’ worth of monthly copies—are piled around the door and crammed into a thin slot at its base. Each rounded corner
of the building has a large window, providing a view of the inside from the street.
Fargrim and Henry: as you ask some of the neighbors, it seems that Fimbrik still lives there, although he keeps to himself and doesn't ever go out anymore. "Just sits in there, smoking his pipe, and reads."
Lyoto: Your knock goes unanswered. The door has a window in it, and you can see a large sitting room with a couch and table, with three exits. A set of double doors leads to the left side of the house, while two separate single doors lead into rooms on the right. The house appears immaculately clean, other than the pile of unread mail piled near the door.
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"That's what makes her so awesome!" he replies to Henry as they make their way to Fimbrik's house. "She was fully human, yet became a goddess. Aroden knew what she was to become, and sacrificed himself so that she might ascend and take his place as supreme deity. Of course, don't make the mistake of thinking you and I are no less than she was, even as a human she was destined for greatness, it's all in The Acts..." He continues the conversation as long as Henry (or anyone else) wills it, mostly making emphatic statements that anyone trained in religions knows are false, but to the untrained would most likely sound quite convincing.
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When Lyoto's knock at Fimbrik's small door goes unanswered, Silas knocks louder. "Fimbrik? Are you in there?" He turns the doorknob to see if the door is unlocked.
While Lyoto examines the letters and mail, Fargrim and Henry head around the right side of the building. The first window seems to open into a library, with a large round table and comfortable chairs. An elderly gnome in a green hat stands near the far wall, perusing his prodigious bookshelves.
The gnome turns as you tap at the window, sees you, and nods and waves politely. He then turns back to his bookshelf and continues thumbing through books.
The outside door appears to be locked, although the keyhole itself is rusty and decrepit.
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Lyoto remembers he packed a saw, but he's unsure whether it's appropriate to essentially break into a person's home.
"Um, guys. I might a way to get through the door," he says as he pulls out his saw showing it to those nearby.
"I mean, we could cut through the door's hinges and get in that way... But I don't want to break into somebody's house unless it's absolutely necessary. What do you all think? Lyoto says to the group.
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Fargrim sighs a little.
"I was thinking of learning a little about locks... it comes in handy from time to time. But I've not managed to make the time for it yet. Odd the lock is rusty but everything else is in good condition.."
She takes out a hair pin. "I've seen folk do this, and they made it look easy.."
The lock doesn't open, although Fargrim does realize that it is very rusty and probably easy to force with the application of a bit of strength to the door.