The Forgotten God (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

"Good as place as any to start." Hadran agrees and heads off to find this living saint.

Finding rumors isn't hard - actually finding the saint, however, seems like it will involve a bit more legwork. For safety, they apparently stay on the move and don't spend too long in one place. Various criminal elements seem unhappy about some of what they're doing, so you may have to be creative if you want a meeting... they're known to be most active early in the morning, though, and usually far in the depths of the district.

"Sounds like a good time to rest then. We can seek them in the morning. With rest perhaps some ideas on finding them will come to me."

Well since we teleported hear it may be best to rest up and replenish resources. We could find people that have been healed and see how they came into contact with this saint.

"That is a good idea, friend." As they found beds for the night, Burkhardt mused aloud with ideas of his own.

I'd be down for that. A slightly less honest route but not a terrible one would involve me binding one of the spirits that cause me to phyically harmed, like the scratches and leaves of Mute Sylvus.

Would two Lawful Good deities condone that strategy? o wo

...

But no, seriously, trying to play to your themes and really driving home on your character concepts is never a bad idea. It may not always lead to predictable results, but it's never a bad idea. XD

Finding beds in Absalom was pretty easy - the city had a lot of traffic, though you did end up in the Foreign Quarter around the time night actually fell. It was objectively much safer (and cleaner) than the Puddles area. Dawn came early to this city, and people were bustling before the first rays of light even peeked above the horizon. The question, of course, was exactly what you were going to do...

"Another good morning." Hadran stretches before meeting Burkhardt.

"Well let's head out and see what we can find. They were in the Puddles district so lets start there. We will find some of the people and talk to them. If we are lucky Midfoviing may be able to catch a scent."

Gather Information: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Probably not! Mentioned out of OOC so if we needed to find a way to justify it, Hadran there could help brainstorm :-P
Gather Information: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

Burkhardt took the time to trim his facial hair in the morning; it had been some time since he last offered it any attention. Feeling fresh, he met Hadran downstairs before setting out on the days work.

With your (super)natural charm, it didn't take long to start putting people at ease and gathering information about your quarry. More notably, even those who seemed hesitant to provide too much information seemed to be taken in by your charm. Around mid-morning, after about two hours of searching, you finally found yourselves in a small square in the Puddles district. The name was apt, because the water around here was high enough you had to walk through it, and the buildings were old and a bit rotted.

A crowd of citizens was here, near a figure wearing a concealing white cloak - or perhaps a robe of some kind? As you watched, they held out a hand over a boy's bloody leg and what looked like a complex runic circle of orange light appeared, spinning over the injury. When the light faded, the injury was gone.

"You can approach first if you wish. I'm going to think about what we just witnessed a moment." He says to Burkhardt before entering his trance.

After witnessing the healing Hadran takes a moment to search his mind for such a symbol or ritual.

K ? with Trance: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 43 +5 if it is K.Planes

As you focus, you filter through the many arcane symbols you're familiar with. Magic is quite strange, and in many cases, people have their own ways of achieving a particular result. What you saw looked like a formula for channeling and controlling magical power with notable precision. It was not, however, a spell of the sort most people used. Instead, it looked like an application of spherecasting, a flexible but uncommon form of magic. Its practitioners were known for having fewer spells known than most Wizards and, at a certain point, their power was largely eclipsed by the strength and efficiency of traditional spells. Between arcane casters' frequent focus on power and the way the gods tended to hand out divine spells, that particular method of casting had never grown beyond a fairly small group of people.

The trance takes Trance: 1d6 ⇒ 4 4 rounds not long but long enough for Burkhardt to have approached and make an opening statement. Waiting on his post.

Burkhardt waits on what Hadran learns. Fallen god of knowledge that one is, he finds his talents useful before making an approach.

At whatever point the person takes a moment for themselves, Burkhardt steps forward with hand extended. "That's unusual power you bear, white one; most impressive. My name's Burkhardt, and this is Hadran, Erstehund and Midfoviing, and we're seek opportunities to use our own talents in aiding someone of powerful yet humanitarian nature such as yourself. Would you have a few moments to speak with us, if not now, then this evening?"

The figure looked up from beneath their hood, and you got your first glimpse of them. They looked at you for a moment, then slowly reached out and took your hand. "I have time." she said, voice soft enough that someone less perceptive would have had to strain to hear. She gazed over your group for a moment, eyes resting on the obviously-inhuman Midfoviing, then taking in the visible weapons and gear you had. "You may find things here less exciting than what you are used to, however. I am Iodell, and you are... different." Her eyes narrowed a little as she looked at Burkhardt's face. "Perhaps you can answer my questions. I... I want to understand goodness. I'm happy to heal those in need around here, but that doesn't seem like it's enough."

Pronunciation is Ee-oh-dell, by the way.

"Goodness? Is doing what is right even against those that oppose. What you are doing is good, from what I hear some of the local crime rings are not so happy with what your doing. So you are a sphere caster. That is ancient magic. People are calling you a living saint. I'm not getting a god vibe from you. What do you know of the test of the star stone? Is it your desire to be a god?"

Iodell looked over to Hadran. "Can one even desire to be a god while remaining good?" she asked, voice still soft. "Most of those who take the Test have a desire to impose their will on the world, to change things so the realms are closer to what they want things to be. Some of the philosophers say that those who want to be gods are the worst candidates for it. I want to make the world better... but I don't know what that really means. Too many times, there are no right answers, no obvious evil to oppose. And if I don't even understand what it is to be good, how can I be a god that tells people what they should do?" Slowly, she shook her head. "I'm no saint - they just call me that because I don't ask for money like most of the temples. And I'm not even sure that's right - the churches do a lot of good things that they couldn't do if they gave out all their power for free. Is it better to help people at any cost and impoverish yourself in the process, even if you could help more people in the future by not doing that? And what about the possibility you'll die in an accident and do no good at all?" Most of her questions seemed to be rhetorical - she clearly didn't have the answers, nor any real expectation of getting them. "The more I think about the Test, the less I understand why anybody would try to take it."

Burkhardt nodded to Iodell's response. Her thoughts were pointedly focused on their own situation, for they certainly sought to become gods again. "Do gods not desire to be gods? Are the moral implications of desiring to retain divinity so different than those to claim it? The Test does impress on your ability to help others in the future if it kills you, true.

"I will tell you this, Iodell. In speaking to you, witnessing you, and from what I've heard of you, I believe you to be good. When you ask yourself these difficult questions of morality and try to live your best life accordingly, it matters much less if your happy with an answer. Besides, good is no monolith: Shelyn is good, and so is Desna, and so is Iomadae, and so is Cayden, yet these gods remain all radically different from each other. When the temple asks for money, they can help more people, but all these people must pay; when you don't, you can't help as many people, but you serve people the temple doesn't reach. These two things are good and while perhaps one is more good than the other, this does not mean the lesser is more bad.

Scratching at his mutton chops, he continues, "Now, in my opinion the much more interesting question is how correlated the Cosmic Sense of Good is to Morally Correct, and how much it is to the Positive Energy Plane. The intuitive sense is that they're related of course, and I don't find that wrong, but consider Pharasma: if she were to one day decide she'd no longer judge souls, the multiverse would be thrown into chaos immediately. Even if you can't call her work nice or pleasant, the necessity of it means that I would call it good. Yet the multiverse doesn't describe it that way, as witnessed in her clergy's flexibility. Of course, this just scratches the surface..."

From here, Burkhardt will continue to delve deep in esoteric philosophy until stopped by Iodell's lack of interest or Hadran's famous impatience. :-)

Hadran nods in agreement.

"Some would say pondering these questions makes you a better candidate then others. I can tell you I strive to be good but have fallen in my path. Some reach for just power, others because as you said their will to change. You have to learn to trust yourself, this is even harder to do once you fall or stumble. I struggle with this daily. What helps is when others have faith in you. Just as you have helped many and they now believe so you shall continue. Midfoviing here is the first among my worshipers. She is the mortal embodiment of valor, she does what has been needed in the face of many dangers and she helps to keep me focused. In a way she is my savior though it was I that saved and freed her. So let her serve as inspiration for you. You have come this far so you are able. There are those that believe in you now which has started your climb to divinity. My advice is act in the face of your fears. Fear is a tool that guides and pushes us. It pushes the valorous to greatness and the cowardly to the dark. Continue to ask yourself these things and continue to help people in spite of it and you will not falter. Continue your path with valor.

Display of Charisma Diplomacy: 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (3) + 38 = 41 Well if the plan was for divine allies it seemed a good time to show some divine ability :)

"Muwahahahahaha~" Midfoviing's tail began to flick back and forth rapidly as Hadran praised her. "I may not understand the bad guys, but I will fight them!"

Iodell, for her part, tilted her head slightly and considered both of your words. "The scholars say that the Positive Energy Plane is where souls are nurtured." she noted slowly. "But any mortal who goes there without protection will die quite quickly. I don't think that I can agree with those who'd call it Good. It is simply part of how things are. I believe what is right requires a will behind it. A tree that falls on your house is not evil, even if knocked over by someone who hates you - it's just a tree. If something is a tool, without sufficient understanding, you can judge its usefulness but not its morality."

Her expression fell slightly a moment later. "But if I believe morality can only come from will, where does that leave those who try to do good without understanding - those who are sick in the mind, who never mature beyond childhood and don't really know what they're doing? They could spend their whole lives helping people without understanding, and if Pharasma told me to judge them after, could I look at them and say the heavens reject them and that they must forever stay outside of paradise? They didn't ask to be born as they were. I don't think a good person should perpetuate unfairness, but if Heaven is available without effort to those born unlucky, how do we tell everyone else that they still need to work hard and act in certain ways? Is it really fair to demand they work harder?" She moved side-to-side slightly as she crossed her arms. "Hmm... you two are very good listeners, though. I don't often get the chance to talk a lot with people."

"Not good itself, no, but it feeds the good acts of its worshipers. Is that something determined by the gods of good? Perhaps not, perhaps the energy itself is what determines that. And it is true what you say about Pharasma... incidentally, the fabric of the cosmos would agree with you. This plays itself into a larger question that the gods don't agree on either: are we a product of our heritage, and our environment, or does the soul lend a measure of control over what we do? The former seemed the obvious truth in the age of prophecy, but would it hold true now? These are questions, you see, the gods too ask of themselves." He smiled broadly, and followed with a wink, "And listening, of course, is one of the most important skills for a god to have."

"Mortals are funny. Goodness and evil is much more black and white among the angels and demons. You seem to have a neutral approach. Sometimes it is about perspective with mortals. Even ones doing evil don't always see their acts as evil."

Iodell shook her head slightly at Hadran's words. "I would much rather be good than evil. In fact, I was raised in the Church of Desna. That probably has something to do with it." she smiled slightly. "I suppose I'm just trying to hold myself to a high standard - I don't think I could tell any follower to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself. And I don't like trying to do good without thinking about it - I like stories of bold heroes as much as anyone, but all too often evil tries to subvert them. I suppose it is easier for beings literally made of goodness. What do you think that feels like, anyway? I've always imagined it as sort of constantly feeling like you're being embraced by your mother, but that doesn't seem to fit the attitudes and behaviors of some of the angelic warriors..."

"Interesting thoughts. You could say I was born good, or with a purpose. I was an angelic warrior raised to the status of deity and then cast out do to my own pride. I was consumed by my purpose. I had a personal crusade against the agents of hell and the abyss. I had little regard for what happened to those around me. My crusade caused the death of mortals, but I saw it for the greater good. I struggle even now to know true goodness as well. This is why I now walk a path of redemption."

"Desna is a blessing on the pantheon, to be sure. Now, it is a thing I find enviable about mortals, to be truthful. The search for righteousness, the attempt to separate good from evil and choose one path or another! So many god's knowledge of good is deep but narrow: born into a role, you can have this understanding that is so infinite and yet impractical. Saints and the like are rare, in my assessment, due not to a lack of good heart, but simply because the footsteps of a god can be so impractical to follow.

"Hadran, at least, has a good sense of why we come as we are now. I'm not sure if my situation was a rebellion against goodness, or deific law, or anything of the sort. The mystery runs deep here," he said, pointing a thumb to his chest.

Iodell blinked at Hadran, then looked up at the Starstone. You could almost see her thinking 'I haven't heard of anyone passing that thing lately'. "Um... are you okay?" she asked hesitantly. "I've never heard a story like that happening, and it would probably be in the books somewhere..."

"Not this one. I'm not sure what happened. I have only shared parts with others like me. I do this now as you have a chance at divinity and we seek allies as we know not what lies ahead. I awoke to the servants of Moloch attempting to destroy me. I'm not sure how but he and his worshipers have knowledge of what I was. Outside of that I never existed."

"It's all true. He can prove what he's saying, and so might I. The curious thing is why the universe has no memory of us." He gestured toward his dog, "Even my faithful companion Erstehund feels our connection, but does not remember our times in ages past. Similarly, Hadran does not remember me, and I do not remember him."

Iodell continued staring at you for a few moments, then crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Well, not the weirdest story I've heard in this town. There's really only one way to convince people, though - grant clerical magic to someone. If you can do that, people will start to take you seriously. Until then, as eloquent as you are, I think you're going to have problems."

"Do you have that ability? I recently regained it. I have heard prayers only once asking to provide support for valorous action. I'm not seeking to test myself on the star stone. I'm searching for bits of my power that has somehow be spread through the land in artifacts and objects of power."

You know I didn't even think about it until now. Since we just leveled to 7 is leadership feat an option. I could take it instead of the vital strike feat, I could then do a sheet for Midfoviing possibly regular Gestalt her? As I was thinking Bloodrager/Paladin, or Bloodrager/Cleric, Barbarian/Cleric, Bloodrager/Oracle into Rage Prophet maybe. What do you think? She would then start to help to validate and spread my religion openly certainly start to spread/gain more attention.

^ I like it.

Bukrhardt nodded and added, "I would gladly, if only one would ask. It's been a long time since I needed to persuade followers on such a personal level. I had hoped in Cheliax to perhaps find followers who looked to turn from Asmodeus, but no such luck."

Actually, Midfoviing is already a gestalt character - Bloodrager/Kineticist. Strong damage, but I keep her out of fights because A) You're even stronger, B) You're the stars of the game, and C) Things are balanced for the two of you and Erstehund. Friendly NPCs are mainly around to adjust the difficulty if something ends up way harder than intended, which is possible in a game like this one. XD For proselytizing, Clerics and Paladins are the traditional choice - their casting requirements are meant to show off the deity's power through a Divine Focus, and that's considered more trustworthy by the average person (who can see this happening). Of course, as deities, you are allowed to set up the structure of your church in basically any way you want. Most follow the traditional hierarchy with a Pope-type figure up top and successive ranks of other priests lower down, but others have uncommon structures (and one made everyone a High Priest).

As far as Leadership goes, if you want an NPC who can spread your faith, you don't need a feat for that. Rather, building your church - when you decide to start doing so in earnest - is a fundamental part of this game. XD You are, after all, gods. It unlocks a whole subsystem and everything.

"I can." Iodell answered. "I just... um... well, don't have any followers yet. I'm not really comfortable asking others to believe in me until I believe in myself. Of course, that also means I can't prove I'm telling the truth, so please feel free to believe me or not as you prefer."

"I believe you have the potential yes, but that is where my believe stops. Gods do not have the luxury of prayer unless they are trying to call and ally. Honestly that is why we came to you. You and us both will need allies in the future. We are forgotten gods, you an aspiring new one. The road ahead not easy for either of us."

Hadran thought a moment.

"You triggered a thought. If we were to seek followers a better place than here would be difficult to find. There are others already here doing the same. Thank you. Let me try and help you in return. For you it's not about belief, it's about knowing. You know you have helped and can do so on a high level, no one can take what you have done away but you. If you listen, truly listen you may even hear those you have already helped giving thanks and praise to you. When you help people from now on simply ask that they ask you in name for help. Do this and your power will grow, I am sure. We also heard you may not be safe. That is another reason we found you. Have you had any threats against you?"

Great summary Rednal. Yes I had no intention of using Midfoviing in combat,but as you described that makes much more sense. I think we should pay a couple bard's/heralds/town criers to spread that we will be offering power to any that come and pray before us in a couple days at the bridges to the star stone. What do you think Burkhardt.

Oooh that's big and bold. Sounds efficient too: just announce our presence! Ok, I like it.

"This is a good plan. I say we announce it for three days from now. That will give me a chance to plumb the libraries of this city. What do you say, Iodell?"

Once we're done with this scene I'm going to roll for some spirit research while we wait those couple days.

At Hadran's question, Iodell sighed a bit. "There are always people who want to target others. It's just a part of Absalom, I think. Any time anyone comes and even considers trying the test, it usually gets attention from someone who opposes them. Evil groups target the good... and good groups target the evil. Law tries to stop chaos, and chaos messes with everyone, including themselves. I think it's fairly normal, actually - if you heard about someone trying to get divine power and they were fundamentally opposed to your goals, wouldn't you try to stop them before they ascended, too? I mean, the odds of passing the test are pretty lousy, but if someone you oppose succeeds..."

"As for studying... well, the best place is probably the Forae Logos in the Wise Quarter. They're going to check you for books when you enter, though, so you might want to leave anything private behind. Any public book in the city is almost definitely there."

"Indeed, those are all good points. I hope you succeed. If you do find yourself in trouble just call out to me for courage. I will hear it. We will do our best to find and help you. It has been an honor to meet you. Please keep to your path and greatness will follow."

Hadran extends his hand to shake.

Not rushing you Burkhardt keep on if you have other things to ask or go over.

Nope! All good here.

"I bid you safety as you walk your path, Iodell." He too, shakes her hand in turn.

Iodell nodded slightly and shook your hands without reservation - and since it seemed like you were leaving, the issue now was where you wanted to go.

Sorry for not posting yesterday. Going with plan spread the gospel so we will be heading to the inns to recruit some bard/heralds/town criers to ask people to come see the god of valor, and the god of pacts :)

Gather info to find people: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

No worries. But do you always gotta go so hard on Diplomacy? :-P

...in other news, I had believed that I updated Burkhardt's sheet, but that seems to be false. Either Paizo ate my changes or I plain forgot. I'll get it taken care of ASAP.

Diplomacy (gather info): 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 2 = 24

Hey, when problems look like nails, why switch away from the hammer?

It turned out gathering a crowd of people in Absalom was even easier than you'd expected - the whole city seemed to be rather cheerfully in on the idea of anything that promised to be a spectacle. You were pretty sure most of the crowd had serious doubts about the truth of what you were saying, but since it seemed likely to be fun to watch, there were a couple of hundred people gathered by the time you were done (and about two dozen guards cautiously ringing the outside of the area to keep an eye on things, all of whom wore distinctive gray wool cloaks).

Well I mean, you know. :) The gather was to find people that could spread our word through town for a display tomorrow but this works as well and I wasn't very clear so lets roll with it.

Hadran looked around at the gathered faces in the crowd.

"People of Absalom, you have gathered to whiteness divine power. Allow us to show you. Is there any that would pray to me? My power is still fledgling. I offer the domains of Law and Good. I currently can not grant spells above the third sphere. I would ask those that are new or starting an adventure career to seek me. I am Hadraniel God of Valor. When you need courage look to me, when seeking strength to protect against the odds look to me. Are there any among you that would pray to me now?"

Diplomacy w/display of charisma: 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (13) + 38 = 51

"And I am Burkhardt of the Versed Vows. Lord of pacts, pledges, the gentlemen's agreement, and the spirit of the law. My abilities, too, are limited to these same domains and limits of power, but through me good-hearted diplomats, lawmakers, counselors and merchants are empowered to create deals that are greater than the sum of their parts, and which can benefit all. Who would follow one such as this?"

Diplomacy (+ mythic power): 1d20 + 16 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 16 + (6) = 35

Using Diplomacy as an opportunity to display divine power, if not so flagrantly as Hadran does :-P

It's true, Display of Charisma is very effective when you want to get people to pay attention to you. 8D I like mixing it with Perform, myself - doing a performance so good it gets planar notice can lead to fun plots.

A fair chunk of the crowd looked skeptical - and the men in gray cloaks didn't look like they were even considering it. Or rather, they seemed like they were at least considering what you'd said, but they had no intention of joining those attempting to pray.

Some of the crowd did - for various reasons, you could tell, as you felt the prayers start to touch you. Some earnestly wanted power. Some wanted to prove you wrong and laugh at you. Some were willing to try anything once or twice. A few felt they had nothing left to lose. Still, prayer was prayer - and the two of you did have the ability to respond to them.

Both of you have unlocked the following abilities:

[u]Tier 1: Know Your Followers[/u]
You always know whether or not a person is a worshiper of yours, though this does not give you automatic insight into their personal feelings. You gain custody of the souls of your worshipers when they die - most deities always have these souls sent to their divine realm, but some have the souls wait or be used for other matters. You may also hear particularly powerful or important prayers from your worshipers, as well as prayers from those in close proximity.

[u]Tier 2: Receive The Power Of Faith[/u]
You may receive worship from mortal believers in a more direct fashion. Once per day, you may roll twice on any d20 roll and take the better result. You may use this ability after a dice has been rolled, but before the result is given. In PbP games, you may use this after the result is given (because it is impractical otherwise).

[u]Tier 3: Sanctify The Holy Ground[/u]
Your worshipers may sanctify temples and shrines to you. When an area is consecrated in this way, you may choose to perceive anything happening within the consecrated area (though you must intentionally choose to watch). You automatically see through all illusions, disguises, and other attempts to hide. Once per day, you may use any ability you have on any person within the consecrated ground as if you were right next to them (this excludes personal abilities). You may use your abilities more often, but they incur the normal cost.

[u]Tier 3: Punish The Apostates[/u]
You may afflict offending worshipers with a curse appropriate to your divine theme, lasting as long as you like and with any level of severity you choose (including death). However, if another deity accepts the worshiper, the curse is immediately lifted. Note that some deities choose mild curses, such as one instance of idle misfortune, as a warning to stay on the right path. Other deities never choose to punish their followers.

Hadran will listen and start to move among the crowd touching each person he hears praying to him. If they are praying for divine power such as spells I assume they need to keep praying for an hour like normal. He says the following to each one he touches.

"I have heard your prayers and your heart is valorous. Let courage be your shield against the dark."

After a bit he stands and announces to all.

"Your prayers are being heard, like any cleric knows you must pray for an hour but then we can grant your spells. For those praying in disbelief. Your prayers too were heard. I will invite you to leave or truly pray if you wish."

Neat!

Burkhardt too waded forth into the group, grabbing and shaking the hands of each person who had called out to him. "This day is a joyous new beginning for the Church of the Versed Vow. Some have called to me with pity, some with skepticism, and some... looking for hope. All of these are welcome in my church, for the spirit of cooperation requires active engagement over simple acceptance. To those who reaching out with their hearts: please stay. Accept my divine boons and let's rebuild this church together."

More of the audience stirred at your words, and you got the sense that those who stayed - some had already left - were aware that there was something different about you. Doubtless word was already racing through the streets, but little by little, the number of prayers you could feel increased. The sense wasn't what it had once been - distance definitely limited what you could hear - but it was real prayer all the same and something you could respond to.

Hadran regains focus now repeating and answering the prayer, each one with the words: "I have heard your prayers and your heart is valorous. Let courage be your shield against the dark." He does so now without speaking. He listens and mentally sends the response to each letting them know their words have been herd. He does this over the next hour still moving among the people listening even offering a reassuring touch to the shoulder of those that meet his gaze.

As the prayer nears the end of the hour and those with divine ability will have there spells bestowed he offers the following over the connection: "Go let thy deeds be valorous, and Glory unto the God of Valor Hadraniel."

Burkhardt smiled. Things were finally falling into place once again. He searched among his new followers for a beacon of faith and ambition, and offered this individual a book. "The Versed Vow; this work contains all of my teachings. Can I entrust you with this volume's care? The new church will have many questions, and kept within this are many answers."

"Y-yes, of course. I'll bring it to the Forae Logos right away and make sure they copy it right. I'm sure plenty of people will want copies of it immediately!" the man Burkhardt spoke to stammered out. Those who'd been here since the start began to disperse, but new people seemed like they were arriving to see what was going on. More gray-cloaked figures could be seen patrolling the outside of the gathering area, though they made no move to interfere aside from occasionally nudging people around to ensure the main roads remained clear enough to traverse.

Sorry was in training Wednesday and had to go to a different office yesterday.

Hadran continues among the followers until their magic is bestowed upon them. After the hour he speaks again to the crowd. He uses Ghost Sound to enhance his voice. I meant to post this with on the original talking to the people as well, don't think I did.

"Those of you that have shown faith have been bestowed power. Go ahead, show those that still question. Our power will continue to grow as it does we will be able to bestow spells of a higher circle of power. Keep your faith and prayers with us. Go now, spread the word."

Soon I will have Perform Oratory, The plan was to retrain Diplomacy into Perform Oratory when I get another Versatile Performance, I will then be using Perform all the time for Diplomacy and speeches and stuff :)

Burkhardt smiled alongside Hadran as they stood before the people. "He speaks truly for those who follow me as well. Your faith is rewarded, and your spells are yours."