Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Outside Jorn's home:
Gunnar dutifully sits next to Jorn as he sits to smoke. The young priest has long learned to ignore the smelly smoke of a pipe, and is impressed to see Jorn's magical one.
He listens to Jorn's recount of his afterlife journey. After he's done, he stays silent for a while still, looking at the clouds as if seeing the stars beyond. He tries making sense of what Jorn told him, comparing the tale with what he knows about the recorded processes of the beyond-life. He asks Desna for help in this.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Back of Jorn's house:
Gunnar continues "That's great news! I'm curious, really... Do you have any memories of the River of Souls? Do you not... wonder about the power that brought you back? Did you feel anything?" He starts to feel like a boy asking their parents about the workings of the world, however he cannot stop himself as the afterlife is something many people wonder about when they come to him as a priest.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house, wood chopping:
Gunnar takes this opportunity to talk to Jorn "How do you feel?" He isn't sure what to ask, but he does wish to ask Jorn about the afterlife, if he remembers any. But for now, he wishes to become closer to the man. He hopes the repeated motion of wood chopping will make him feel a bit more at home.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house:
Gunnar steps back and lets the conversation unfold. He feels this is a private moment and tries to look peaceful, although he isn't sure what that is supposed to look like.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house:
Feeling that anything else would be disrespectful, Gunnar says "Very well, then. Let us rejoice." He takes a moment to re-examine Jorn's mother and make sure she doesn't have any other serious injury, then allows the reunion to continue.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's home:
Gunnar is startled as the mother interjects. He fumbles for words as Zeldana gives a calm and reasonable explanation. Recomposing himself, he says "Yes, I do not wish to bother you with such small details, it is curiosity. If you don't wish to describe it for me, because you have something much more important going on, that's ok." He smiles to punctuate the point.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house:
Gunnar hears everything then thinks for a bit. He says "Well first, it is good hope that it was a good aligned outsider that came to her, not a malign one that came disguised as a good outsider." He paused, not because he thought Zeldana needed a moment to take it in, but because he started to think he was sounding paranoid.
He says "Well, maybe I'm reading too much into this, but if someone bad was here, they may have hit her in the head. The biggest hole in my story is why someone would do this. Can you think of anyone who would benefit from... whatever this is?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house:
Gunnar pulls Zeldana aside to talk. He says "What are you thinking? I find it strange that a celestial being came here to tell her that Jorn was back, but then again I know little of the rod we used. Also, I mean no disrespect, but I don't entirely believe his mom's story that she just hit her head like that."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Jorn's house:
Gunnar smiles as he sees the pure joy in the mom's face.
It takes him a while to catch up. It was actually Zeldana's short puzzled look that sets him off. He does wonder what she meant. He's not completely certain about how the rod works, but he doubts it would trigger a celestial being to come inform Jorn's mother of the deed.
After a small while, he says "That's beautiful! That's an angel I'd like to meet, huh?" and he looks at Zeldana meaningfully.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
With Zeldana:
After being reticent about going further into the home, Gunnar promptly follows Zeldata as she darts away. Instinctively, he pulls out his starknife and looks around for any signs of a threat.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
With Zeldana:
Although Gunnar has already been in the company of two people in love, this is the first time he is with two people where one of them has just been revived after being dead for months. He wants to suggest knocking on the door, but never feel the moment is right, so he just stands back and waits until they're ready.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Still a bit uncomfortable with the matter of guiding the souls of the dead, Gunnar thinks he should be better at this. But Abstalar's fast action gives the young priest a way out as he says "I would also like to go with you, if that's ok, Zeldana and Jorn. Perhaps his mother will benefit."
He turns to the newcomer and says "Hello, I'm Gunnar, another Desna's devout. If Zeldana gives you any trouble, just point to me, and I'll draw her attention. I am sure sure I can find a topic that will make her want to debate strongly with." and adds a reassuring smile.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar follows Zantus silently into the boneyard and makes a quick acknowledging gesture to Orlin. He watches Zeldana do her thing and is impressed at the magic that runs through her as she makes her divination.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar smiles warmly and says "My friend, your life has faced some difficult challenges lately. Not only was a loved one taken from you, you were able to hope to get them back and were being denied it. To add to it, you are without your magic which you consider a big part of you."
He sounds endearing when he says "It's impossible not to feel emotion in that situation, Zeldana. The fact that you shut them off doesn't mean you weren't feeling them. It means that they were too much for you to face them directly."
There is more he wants to say, but he feels that it's enough for now. He says "I am very happy that Jorn has returned to you. But it also means you can take it when I say this." He stops himself before talking more, knowing she will definitely have a quip to say, and he feels she needs to let it out.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar feels he finally has something to add "The minds of those twisted by emotions can rarely be explained by reason, and their actions often carry the great burden than they can't bear." He hopes Zeldana will sometime reflect on these words.
Focusing on the issue at hand, he continues "It is not unheard that those who have been hurt will allow their pain to fester, and their wrath is directed upon an unsuspecting target. If Katrine herself is unreachable to us right now, we should maybe talk to Harker, and see what he may know."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar feels he should say something "At this point, it is of little use to try to guess her motivations and intentions. A much more effective action would to ask her directly."
He mentions "Due to my time away from Sandpoint last year, I'm a bit outdated on the town's news. Does she still live with her father Ven?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar chooses not to share his divination for now but gives Father Zantus a worried look. There isn't room for this talk in the current discussion anyway. He is actually curious about the discussion. He didn't know much about Katrine Vinder, but could she be a murderer?
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar opens his eyes wide as Zeldana tells her story. It takes him a while to react, as if he's waiting for her to continue. A single drop of sweat rolls from his brow and hangs from his nose as he tries to make sense of the story.
He grunts while exhaling as he remembers to breathe then is about to ask if she's ok, when he remembers what just happened with Jorn, and how she isn't dead in front of him. "At least she doesn't look dead...", he thinks now worrying if he should try to protect himself from spirits.
He also restrains himself from asking if she detected magic on herself, but remembers that she has iterated a few times her magic has left her, so he thinks it's better not to poke that monster. So, he nods and starts to sense for magical auras around her. He also tells her "That's worrisome. But, I'll need to ask Desna for different spells tomorrow when I pray in my daily routine. I haven't really... prepared for this." He's glad he was able to communicate that he was caught completely off-guard.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Praying is all Gunnar could do in the face of so many inexplicable things happening. What just happened to Daelk? How many forces were at play here? Not understanding what he's supposed to make of this, he could only return to the rites he is trained in, hoping that some understanding follows.
He is only focused on this task until they get to the cathedral. He watches as Abstalar uses the rod of resurrection and slowly feels the godly presence in the environment. The feeling of comfort is everything he needs, the feeling that he is on the side of good, and that Desna is also here, giving out love. Although he knows the divine presence was summoned from the rod, he chooses to fill that they also came to his aid, to reassure him.
As the light leaves, he scolds himself "How can I be so selfish... Desna isn't here for me. This was a ritual with that rod, and Jorn's soul was given back as it should have been." He looks at Zantus and tries giving him a look with a nod that is supposed to say "that went well".
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar says "You may keep trying to harm yourself, but I'll keep healing you. Someone, knock him out, we're not getting anywhere. We have to wait for his more rational version to come out. By Desna, knocking him out could in fact accomplish exactly that!"
Gunnar thinks about what he could do to move away from this impasse.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar looks at the man inquisitively. He turns to Yeda and, ignoring Daelk, says "He does have memory of what happened, so it may just be that he's prone to strong mood swings. Maybe something we said or did triggered this behavior."
He turns to Daelk and says "It doesn't sound like you've come to terms with what happened. So tell me, how did you feel when you realized what you did? Do you want to scream into this pillow?"How are priests fit for mental healthcare in Golarion?
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar says loudly "Everyone calm down now! How could this have developed into a fist fight? You, stand down, and you, keep quiet or you'll end up with more getting cut than your finger." He sighs, knowing he lacks the physical strength to enforce any of the demands he's making. He also wishes he had a better selection of spells prepared for a moment like this.
He turns to Daelk and says sharply "You're going to sit down quietly and accept your judgement, whatever it is. No more of this decision whiplash or what. We're going to deal with your soul's healing, but that can't happen while you're getting blood everywhere."
He focuses and sends out a burst of positive energy all around.
Channel positive energy:3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4) = 12
He continues "Now, we're going to talk. And talk. Until you've come to terms with reality. Desna teaches us to be ready for challenges and unexpected friends. This is your challenge, forgive yourself, and I'm your unexpected friend because everyone else seems to not like you", he claims more commanding than properly diplomatic. He finishes [b]"And now you spill your thoughts and feelings. And we're going to talk until you either learn to accept reality or you get so tired you fall asleep." He's not willing to enforce this, but he just wants the man to spill the beans.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar instantly feels the man's pain. He could never imagine how it must feel to be responsible for taking the life of a friend. He puts his arm around Daelk in Jorn's body and says "Easy... I'm so sorry this has happened. But you know something? As a true Desnan, Calder is now in her realm. You mustn't worry for him, he's now in the Sevenfold Cynosure. It's a faraway palace, and everyone who has visited it describes it as a perfect dream."
Smiling, he says "Now, that doesn't sound so bad, does it? Now it's your turn to find some peace. It happened, yes. But you didn't mean it to happen. Now it's time to forgive yourself."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar says "There's magic to make you not feel the pain. Still, as Corrin here says, other options are being discussed. You don't have to worry, you're safe and in good hands. For now, rest. Are you hungry? I can have some food brought over."
He then continues "I believe you are a builder, correct? Can you tell me a bit about your work?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar approaches the man and says "Here, I am Gunnar, a follower of Desna. I'll provide you with some healing. You hit your head. What's the last thing you remember?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Daelk:
Gunnar immediately says "I'm sorry, but this is not ok. I'm all for skipping the rules to do good, but this is just wrong. If you can convince him while the mayor is gone, great, but not like this."
The cleric will stay with Daelk to take care of him in case he wakes up.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
At the manor:
Gunnar breathes relaxed as the man goes to sleep. Then the mayor comes ask about specifics. He just says "Well, the short version is that he may or may not be a person of interest for the cult of Urgathoa. This fact could also bring the attention from the cult of Pharasma."
He scratches his chin and says "If Zeldana's interpretation is correct, they will go to great lengths to lay hands on him. The quicker we can resolve this situation, the better."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Seeing the conversation isn't going anywhere, Gunnar says "You're completely right, of course." He motions for the exit and says "We should rest to prepare the necessary spells and do our experiment tomorrow. Shall we?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar forces himself to be diplomatic "Well, Zeldana, the path you've chosen is yours alone. By itself, it does not regard any god or another. You can pledge yourself to a faith like any other person."
He rubs his temples, trying to come up with a way to say what he wants to say. He says "You are obviously very bright, much more than Abstalar and I could ever be together. Now think of a barber-surgeon. Despite all their knowledge and experience, there is still much that they fail to treat, and there is still a lot of uncertainty. And that is things that they can touch and see! Now, with matters of divinity...", he looks up as if he could see the stars despite the daylight and the roof over their heads. He continues "There's much we can't see, rationalize or even fathom."
Looking back at Zeldana, he says "Which is how the word faith comes about. It's about trust, and taking the leap. Which is why you see that the most powerful cardinals are not necessarily great calculators." Assuming his practiced friendly posture, he says "I can see that you're desperate to know every intricacy of the divine politics. I can assure you, you don't. But I've also witnessed your power, and I am convinced you have a real shot of someday getting there. Maybe just... don't try to take a step larger than your legs."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar says to Zeldana "Well, that's a gamble at best. You know, there is little precedent to such things and the best we can hope for is what we come up with our knowledge of how things work. I would say let's do it and leave it at Desna's hand, but I am sure you will scold me for thinking like this."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar replies "Healing his wounds is not a problem. We should bring him some tools to let muscle memory kick in." He stops talking for a minute and brings his finger to his chin. He says "Now that I think about it, that was stupid of me to say... But we should see how he reacts to work."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar says "All we can do now is speculate. I do wonder what the best way to deal with this is. If what you say is true, then if this soul finds closure, it'd be enough for it to back to the Boneyard. I'm not sure how to do this right now, but we may have to just talk to him. We could put him to work, so his mind gets busy as we slowly feed him information."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar feels perplexed, but still says "So, he was resurrected in Jorn's body, to keep on living the terrors from his life? This seems off. I've heard of people who, when unable to face reality, start believing something else entirely. They create an entire different world in their heads where the terrible things they have to face aren't true. It may well be that this is the case, and he lives again so he can, perhaps be healed of this pain."
Gunnar also wants to convey that he wants to help Zeldana heal from Jorn's death as well, but he can't find the words. He feels this needs to happen even if they manage to bring him back.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Just before he moves over to the man, Gunnar does look at Titus and says "Maybe they weren't drunk enough." He is not sure what he's implying, but he'd rather not continue speaking lest he lose his new status he received from his friend Abstalar.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar says "Sure, let me get on that." He isn't a fan of bandaging the man's eyes, it's an affront to his freedom. However, he can't come up with a better plan. Before he does so, he says "There is a spell to help him with taking the news. It only lasts for up half a minute, but it could help with the shock. By the time the spell expires, he could have absorbed the news, so the emotion won't be as strong."
Calm Emotions
After saying that, the priest explains to the man "You've hit your head pretty hard. Let me put a bandage over that to help you recover. It should also help with the pain a bit.", then goes on to delicately wrap some bandage around the man's head, covering his eyes.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
"Maybe there's a portrait somewhere? Although it would have probably burned in the cathedral fire during the Late Unpleasantness. Wait. Maybe we can put a little bit of truth for him here, we can say the brother died. Which is actually true.", Gunnar says wondering.
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar looks at Zeldana curiously. He says "It could be harmful to him if the truth is broken out suddenly. We should ease into it, slow and steady. Unfortunately, I've never been a good liar. Any takers?"
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar thinks about Zeldana's words. He does not understand how the mechanisms of Harrowing work, but he does know that he would be completely lost if he could not access his divine magic anymore. He does see how this would hurt him, and how lost and alone he would feel. He simply says "I understand."
However, he cannot accept her position and says "But you're wrong. First, your friends are not helpless. Second... I don't know how your magic works, but whatever is its source, the fact that you can thread fate is a clear indication that your connection is still there, you... no, we just need to strengthen it. Finally, a very important choice you must make to ensure the well-being of your friends is to choose life. And I urge you to."
Male Human cleric 5 | AC 17 T 12 FF 15 | CMD 14 | HP 50/50 Elysium's call 9/9 | Liberation 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5
Gunnar is entirely confused by Zeldana's words. He isn't really sure how to respond. He ends up saying "Zel... this is not on you. It's not. Evriani's actions are on her. It's not your job to fix it." After scratching his head, he continues "And I am positive the way to do the most good is to continue... to do it... here... on our plane."
