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Yndra clutches at the edge of the basin to keep her consciousness through the pain. She listens in rapture as Roidira speaks. At what seems like a final farewell Yndra leans forward, grasping out with her hands. "Please, do not go! I will… Your path, I could… I would follow it…" She steels herself to find the courage for what she has to say. "You are right of course, that Your presence and doing is beyond my understanding. And these people have indeed butchered your teachings, twisting them beyond reason or worth. But… But...What of others, who might be set on Your Path, in good faith? Who might come to understand, as I have, that there is not an end to knowledge and enlightenment, but that Your way is of ever-changing beliefs, building and tearing down again, so that new wisdom may be built on the rubble of the old. Please, do not let the world be left without this path. Let me guide those who are worthy of walking Roidira's Road, without destination…" Yndra bows her head, afraid to look at the overwhelming presence of the Dark Sister after her words.
Mr. Graves examines the 'Waters of Enlightenment' as Fate relieves Tem's suffering.
Tsschas follows Fate's lead and applies bolstering magics to his companions.
After no more than a minute, Poe, Tem and Yndra recover. Their injuries are healed, as if they never happened. Roidira is gone. The pool no longer glows, and merely smells stale.
The four Roidirans around the pool stand up. "So now you know. She does not exist. How are we to contemplate existence without even the solace of emptiness?”
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Graves snorts. "Well is relative." He mutters. "There was some sort of substance in the water... a hallucinogen or narcotic of some sort, perhaps. Maybe something to make you more suggestible, given how the other Roidirans have been acting."
It is clear from his tone that he is not sure what the substance was, or its effects.
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Graves' words pull Yndra out of her reverie. "You may be right. Something to put us in a trance, I suppose. To allow us to hear what we needed to." Her eyes both focus normally on Graves as she speak. She doesn't appear to be cross-eyed any more. "I am well, Tsjas," she adds. "Thank you for asking."
She then replies to the Roidiran cultists. Her voice, again, is very calm."What makes you so sure that she does not exist? And even if that were the case, would her Road not be worth walking even without a 'reward' at the end of it?"
The Roidirans seem dazed, their eyes teary. One of them manages to respond to Yndra.
"I....I drank of the waters. I had a vision. I was lost in a void and a voice said to me I am not, and never was. Don't you see? She never existed."
"I drank too" says another of the four. "I sailed through the Void without direction. I saw nothing, I heard nothing."
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Yndra considers Tsschas's proposal. "You might," she replies. "I think the results won't be conclusive, but the Society might be interested either way." Her words sounds the slightest bit detached.
She then returns her attention to the Roidirans. "Ah. She told you in a vision. It must be absolute truth then... What was the inscription at the stairs? All lies are truth. All trust are lies." She lets the words ring for a moment. "Would Roirida want you to take Her words at face value...?"
She allows the question to sink in, then continues. "Something else to consider, perhaps. There is no presence, there is only absence. This seems to mean that Roidira is not a deity that is easily found. Or found at all. Her warmth cannot be felt on the skin by standing outside on a clear day, like Sarenrae. She does not assert herself when I produce magic, like Nethys. She's doesn't smile on those who get drunk and do stupid things, like that oaf Cayden." She scoffs at the notion. "I consider this shrine a test, for the faith and understanding of Roidirans. Does her Road have an easy ending, with clear answers? Or it is a puzzle to work out, for oneself and to be cracked without Her guidance? Does that not bring true understanding, for someone to solve the riddle themselves instead of being told the answer?"
One of the Roidirans replies to Yndra: "You - you believe? You drank of the waters of Enlightenment, and your faith is stronger. What - what did we do wrong? What test did we fail?"
Another speaks to Fate: "Nothing of value. Yes, there is nothing here. Nothing here."
The other five cultists, from the rooms you have passed by, come and join you. Whilst they are confused, they at least seem to be aware of their surroundings. Some of them gather around Yndra. The others seem to be waiting, uncertain.
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"Well, you lot should head back to Qaharid." Graves says, turning his stern gaze on the gathered Roidirans. "Tell your friends there's no point coming out here any more. There is nothing for any of them here."
He pauses, glancing at Yndra. "Admittedly, you'd probably say there's nothing for you there either, I suppose... but at least there are beds... and baths... you could ponder your fates in... and food to eat."
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Yndra's face makes it clear that she doesn't quite agree with Fate, especially on 'discrediting Roidira'. However, she nods her assent with Graves. "As you say, we should return to Qaharid. We should convince the others that this is not the destination that they had in mind." She comes around to the cultist who had spoken to her. "Indeed, I believe it's a test. A viciously tough one, especially for those not prepared. Roidira is not kind to her followers! I myself might only have gained from it what I did because I was not familiar with Her teachings beforehand. Maybe that allowed me to learn what I did." She thinks on the point for a moment. "Indeed, this seems fitting. For a Roidiran to come here, he would have to discard most of what he thought he knew. Which is very difficult, especially if one believes that this shrine is the entire goal of the journey."
She holds her arms wide, trying to include all of the Roidirans. "Let us leave this place. I am not an expert, but I believe that Roidira does not promise answers. Rather, she deliberately promises not to provide them. Her path does not have an end, at this shrine or anywhere else. It is up to her followers to find answers within themselves. Roidira's Everlasting Road may not be for everyone... For those who wish to continue, we will set them on the path again - in peace! For those who do not have the heart to continue, we will guide them to other teachings, to give them purpose in life again."
She follows up with a few quick words to Graves and her other companions. "You are right, Qadira did not agree with me so far. But it seems I am needed here, for these people and for my own benefit. I believe I have much to learn from them, as well."
"A prophet! A prophet! Roidira has sent us a prophet! She of the Everlasting Road! We are saved!" The Roidirans gravitate towards their new teacher, Yndra.
But not all of them are convinced by Yndra's message. Some prefer to keep their own company; others, as they recover from their malaise, turn out to be quite friendly, and are glad to return to civilisation with you. They tell you how they came to reject the rigid hierarchy of Qadiri society, with its reliance on established knowledge and dogma, and thus sought a new way of life in Roidira's faith.
You spend the rest of the night at the shrine. The cultists have a supply of food, and clean drinking water - enough to see you back to Qaharid. As you break camp in the morning several phantoms emerge from the aether, but they know better than to attack you. The phantoms remain behind haunting the old mine.
You return to Qaharid with a train of dozen or so Roidirans, now split into two groups: those who regard their quest as a foolish mistake, and those who embrace Yndra's Everlasting Road. Along the way you exhume Uncle Julius' remains. The Roidirans (including the new Everlasting Road cultists) are saddened to learn that their misadventures in the jungle led to the death of the jolly gnome.
When you arrive back at the gates of Qaharid the guards at the gate are wary, reluctant to allow the remnants of the Roidiran pilgrimage back into the city. Your signet rings are enough to convince them though. A paladin-at-arms recognises you and requests that you attend the Grand Temple and report to the High Priestess at once.
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At the Grand Temple of Sarenrae, High Priestess Amal al-Sahba is enjoying a late dinner with her wife. She greets you warmly, and asks for your report.
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"Wess have returned with mixed tiding and newssss. We may have found something yet others like myself have discovered we understood nothing. It seemsss strange but one of our party membersss may have gleaned something of our quest. I'll leave the detailsss of that to her to report. We also beg leave to raise our friend here from the deadss and we are more then willing to spend the fundsss required to do so." The nagaji pauses.
"Here we have samplesss of the water we collected at the site, which some are claiming to bess the holy site. Our companion here, Yndra has being proclaimed asss the new Prophet of Roidira, of which I'm not sure if that'sss possible."
"The place shouldsss be considered asss dangerousss for thosess ass it mayss drive otherss to insanity....And also perhapsss you might find a place for the rest who hasss being abandoned the faith...."
I wonder if there's a inquisitor equivalent to the separatist cleric archetype.
You sure Roidira is not PFS legal?
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Yndra isn't quite comfortable at being the sudden centre of attention, but she shoulders it bravely. In the morning, she has lost her black and white clothing, opting instead for her regular hot weather outfit in neutral tan. During the voyage back to Qaharid she speaks extensively with the Roidirans, both speaking and asking a lot of questions. She even tries to make contact with those who will not follow her, to check on whether they might cause any problem upon returning to civilization.
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Yndra listens quietly as Tsschas recounts their tale. She half-shrugs at being proclaimed the new Prophet of Roidira, still getting used to that position. When it's her turn, she addresses al-Sahba with great respect. "High Priestess, Tsjas speaks true of what we encountered. I might shed some further light on the motives of the Roidiran supplicants; during our trip, I believe that I have come to understand their thinking, somewhat. The mine indeed holds a shrine related to Roidira. However, I believe it was not meant as a reward - as the Roidirans thought - but a test, a very difficult one. They were not prepared properly, and could not bear the result. Which was the cause of their distress. The site is also haunted - by some phantoms which are probably related to Roidira. We did not learn how. I concur that the site should be considered dangerous. Perhaps you might spare some people to guard it, or I could ask some of the Roidirans to take turn and stand vigil."
"I have been called a prophet for Roidira. I am not sure I have earned that moniker yet. However, I am willing to stay here and look after the Roidiran, those we found in the mine and those still here in the city, if they want to. Those who want to follow Roidira's path, I will guide them as best as I can. Those who have lost faith, I want to provide new hope for them and maybe show them alternatives causes to believe in. I am confident that they can do so peacefully, once they have been helped over their initial shock and grief."
Al-Sahba is visibly distraught at the news of Uncle Julius' death. "He gave his life for the sake of knowledge, in the service of others. Blessed Sarenrae has bestowed upon me the power to return the dead to life; but I regret I cannot waive the cost. The funds that we raise via taxation and subscription are marked for the use of the city and its citizens. If you can provide the necessary diamond component, I shall return Uncle Julius to you tomorrow. If you cannot, then we will honour his memory and I shall have his remains preserved and assist in returning them to wherever you think he would wish."
The high priestess remains serious and pensive when she learns of Yndra's new status. "You have turned from Nethys in favour of Roidira?" She pauses a moment, lips pursed. "I doubted any connection to the divine was at play, but such a conversion suggests that I was wrong on that count. No matter the faith, she who experiences the touch of the divine becomes an authority the wise should heed.
I will be frank with you Yndra. The satrap wished 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. I am minded to give you some time to resolve the situation with your new followers. How would you have me use the knowledge you uncovered at the shrine? What would you wish me to say to the satrap? And most importantly of all, are you confident that you can end the threat to our security posed by the Roidirans?"
Al-Sahba looks to all of you expectantly.
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Graves scratches the stubble on his chin thoughtfully at the current situation.
"You know... at the start of all this, Julius mentioned that there were some scholars that believed Roidira was some mysterious entity known as the White Feather. Given that is the name of the cult, I wonder if they are connected... and if so, could it be that the Roidirans and White Feathers have both been venerating the same deity this whole time?" He pauses a moment, to ponder the ramifications of that line of thought. "Certainly would open a whole new kettle of soup."
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Yndra is serious when the topic of Julius comes up. "I think we could come up with the proper compensation, for the sake of the city and the people here. We would have, if that is what Julius would have wanted. Instead, we believed that his wish was not to be raised, would this be his fate. We accept his wishes in this matter..."
She swallows uncomfortable at the realization that her course may have put her at odds with the satrap's wishes. "Right. Now that you say it, we could have known as much." She thinks for a moment. "All of this is quite new to me, and I still need to get acquainted with the Roidirans here. However, from my experiences with the supplicants at the shrine, I am confident that we can end their threat here."
"That leaves the matter of the White Feather, and what to tell the satrap. Like my companion Mr. Graves said, we have heard the rumours that the White Feather and Roidira might be the same entity. It isn't obvious to me; both seem to have quite different tenets. However, we... I have experienced that the teachings of Roidira - as I have interpreted them - are quite different from what the Roidirans here in the city believed. We cannot rule out that the White Feather's teachings might have similarly diverged. If you were to ask me honestly, though... I do not feel any kinship for them at the moment, and would probably be hard-pressed to find any traction with them." She thinks again. "Since we cannot be sure either way, I believe we should treat them as two seperate - unrelated - schools of thought."
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"Very well" answers the high priestess. 'Pathfinders, I am grateful for the service you have rendered to me and to my city. Please keep the signet rings I have given to you, as a token of my esteem.
Yndra, I must insist that you return my ring; I cannot have a prophet of Roidira be seen to be sponsored by Sarenrae's representative on Golarion, nor could I allow this as a Peerless.
I will tell the satrap that Roidira's cult poses no threat. However, there are conditions, Yndra. You will submit to questioning under the gaze of my paladins, who will employ such divinations as they deem appropriate to confirm that you are under no magical compulsion and that you intend weal rather than woe. You will also accept being bound by a Mark of Justice to prevent you organising or partaking in acts of sedition. Subject to your acceptance of these conditions I grant you the freedom to act as shepherd to your lost sheep; grant them succour, and see that they no longer disrupt the affairs of my citizens. When I am satisfied that there is no longer a risk to civil order, I shall send a detachment of paladins to the pilgrimage site in the jungle to ensure that any lingering spirits are permanently banished, and to close the site."
She looks again to the rest of you. "I am truly sorry for your loss. I much enjoyed Julius' peformance as Sarenrae!" Al-Sahba allows herself a smile at the thought on Uncle Julius' dance. "But if a soul does not wish to return from the Beyond, then it cannot be compelled by resurrection magic. I will ensure his remains receive a Gentle Repose spell and help you transport them home. I also a have a few gifts for you, small treasures that cannot compensate for the grief you must feel, but you should have them nonetheless."
Al-Sahba presents you with several gifts
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Later, back at the lodge in Katheer, Venture Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi takes your reports. He arranges for Uncle Julius' name to be added to the Wall of Names in the grand lodge:
Uncle Julius: he danced, he sang, he looked for knowledge where a gnome ought not.
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Several nights later, a young archeologist is drinking in the Flaming Scimitar tavern. He remarks to his drinking companion, a certain foreman named Adar al-Zareef, that his girlfriend, a priest of Sarenrae at the Grand Temple, had to prepare a peculiar gnome's remains for transport after an incident with a giant lizard in the desert.
"What?! Not Uncle J?" exclaims the miner. "That bastard lizard! I hope he choked to death! Lads, a toast! Let's all drink to our dear departed friend Uncle Julius!
♫♫Let's all get drunk and go naked, and lie in a great big pile! ♫♫"
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Yndra isn't thrilled at being placed under a Mark of Justice - it hadn't been too long ago that she herself dispensed justice on behalf of Nethys - but she readily accepts to the terms of Al-Sabha. She takes a few moments to address her companions before submitting to those formalities. "Fellow Pathfinders, it seems our paths separate here. I am grateful for your companionship on this mission. I will write to the Grand Lodge. If you see our Venture-Captain before my letters gets there, please explain that I will not return for the foreseeable future. My work is here. Also please convey my gratitude to the Master of Spells, for all her teachings."
After the mandatory precautions have been seen to, Yndra sets off into the city to rejoin the Roidirans. She still feels awkward and uncomfortable in the Qadiran heat, but settles in as best she can. Heading Ah-Sahba's words she keeps a low profile and urges the Roidirans following her to do likewise. She advises them to pick up a normal life of their own, while frequently coming together in the tea rooms of Qaharid to discuss philosophy and the uncertainty inherent to Roidira's Everlasting Road.