Temple of Pharasma in Caliphas


Carrion Crown


This is really for DM's only...

Ok, so my players are about to start Ashes at Dawn. They have found the Raven's Head in the last adventure and they plan to return it to the temple of Pharasma in Caliphas for a fat reward... or destroy it. At any rate I decided to look and see what I could find on the temple of Pharasma in Caliphas. All I could find is on page 64 of Ashes at Dawn is talks about the Maiden's Choir, "the royal church of Pharasma". Led by a 12 level cleric and has a 6th level inquisitor. Not too much else.

So, I guess my questions are.

If my players "did" turn in the mace, what would happen? Would they get a reward?

And the bigger questions...

How does the Church of Pharasma exist in this complex vampire infested city? What is it's role? Where does it stand on the "vampire" murders? Why haven't they waged war against the vampires and/or what is their excuse for not doing anything about the vampires existence? I mean the nobility don't actively do anything because of the whole "we don't want to start a war and potentially kill thousands", but what about the church? I am just trying to find some sort of justification for them not doing something. Because I know my players will ask.

Thanks in advance!


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber

You can always go with the old way of doing things: They just don't have the resources to handle the problem. Given the magnitude of the vamps hanging about in Caliphas a 12th level cleric and a 6th level inquisitor won't exactly be enough to handle the threat. Chances are they've sent agents to investigate and harry the vamps before, but I imagine the casualties were pretty hefty.

So now, the remaining priests concentrate on their more mundane duties, and try to avoid poking the hornets nest. Getting everyone killed doesn't exactly help the faithful into the Lady's grace after all. They may push and prod the nobility for more resources, but in such a political city that would be completely futile. In the meantime they can work on keeping ghouls out of the cemeteries, and trying to break the back of any more overt undead threat to the city.

Regarding the murders, chances are that the church is embarrassed. Previously they could claim ignorance of the true extent of the vampires working in the city. Now it looks far more widespread, and people will be asking questions of the church. Of course, nothing stops them from implying that they are actually behind the "murders." Of course, such a red herring has a chance to derail the investigation into the real issues. It might also anger the vamps if they think that the church is telling the truth (in whispers, to confidants).


I'm with deathsausage... which is probably a sentence anyone would love to say. :D

I agree the Church is not up to the task. The vampires have been in Caliphas a long time, deeply embedded in the politics and inner workings of the city. The vampire nobles could make contributions to the Church of Pharasma, causing a bit of corruptive self-interest ("do you want the new roof? Do you want to maintain balance? Then stop pestering us").

The high priest and inquisitor could show a well-meaning but beaten demeanor, showing how ill-equipped they are... but they would certainly try to convince these newcomers (the PCs) that they should be acting to destroy all undead. If Father Grimburrow from Ravengro lived here and were as high level as they, he might have acted by this point... but they're exhausted and walk a fine line.

It might also show how perilous it might be to drop off Raven's Head here. Such an artifact may or may not be well-defended enough to avoid being stolen (although the Whispering Way doesn't seem to need it any more, I suppose... I was never certain how to address that).

Scarab Sages

Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

@Polarbeast: The Way still needed it, and the multiple failures by the Way to acquire the artifacts throughout the books is what leads the the final battle's results (Forsaken Lich vs. Whispering Tyrant.)

As for Raven's Head: PolarBeast hit it on the head. The Church is drastically out-gunned, and only has the public support keeping the Vamps from taking them down (they're happy to keep the status quo).
I can see the Church being VERY optimistic about helping and supporting the cause, though.


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I encountered the same problem, and after much searching I think Paizo does not give us any details about the church of Pharasma in Caliphas or in Ustalav beyond that is the predominant religion.

Based on the culture and society of Ustalav, I believe the Church of Pharasma is well established and organized but not as well hierarchical and centralized. Each priest, cleric, monk and minister is responsible for its own shrine, monastery, temple or church responding very sporadically to the bishop of the county or region, and the hierarchy between churches depends on the size of the population they serve.

30 years ago Caliphas become the capital of Ustalav and since then the temple of Pharasma here seen their power and influence grow, seeing itself as the logical center of the faith, something that many are in disagreement, especially the traditionalist and bitter church of Ardeal and the increasingly intransigent fundamentalist church of Barstoi. These differences have not yet caused a major division within Pharasma church where most of its clergy clinging to the provincial traditionalism characteristic of Ustalav. Still Maiden's Choir has become one of the most dynamic, powerful and ambitious churches but also indulgent and arrogant immersed in the political intrigue that shake the Principality and its capital.

The church of Pharasma in Caliphas is completely ignorant of the vampire society that infest the city , vampires have dedicate centuries maintaining their presence secret. Nor they think the Whispering Way a too dangerous threat, thinking they are a cabal of decadent necromancer who clings to their old reputation, who have no real power anymore. The church is also very concerned to maintain Pharasma religious hegemony in Ustalav so they dislike the presence or intervention of clerics or representatives of other gods.

If the players turn in the Raven's Head is possible that the church believes it was his sacred duty to return it and do not give them any reward. That would create tension between the players and Pharasma church so they would not go to them when they encounter the vampires. You could even make them believe that vampires have infiltrated and corrupted the church. (Note the name I gave to the high priest of death)

Maiden's Choir:

Archbishop/Mother Verith Thestia (N female cleric 12) head of the temple and high priest of birth
Bishop Longinus Lancea (NE male cleric 14) high priest of death
Bishop Ruslana Toader (CN female cleric 10) high priest of prophecy
Zetiah Mardhalas (LN female inquisitor 6) high exorcist

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