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I'm not knowledgeable on how the Boneyard works, but I am getting queries from my players on how to deal with it.
Because Pharasma is a goddess of fate, does she already have gravestones for those entering the Boneyard, or just for those souls who are unlucky enough to be buried there?
Can outside entities "enter" the Boneyard while still alive, or is it reserved for souls only? I would assume Pharasma would have the power to allow or deny access to mortals entering her realm. In short, can physical items enter the realm?
What is the significance, if any, of the gravestones being struck? Are they subject to damage, and if so what happens to the soul if its gravestone is damaged?
I seriously recommend picking up The Great Beyond guide - it can answer all of your questions better than I probably could.
If I remember correctly, the multiverse, and the Boneyard in particular, runs off the old Greek concept of being able to run around as a mortal as long as you're careful (think Orpheus bard'ing around in Hades to get his girl back).
As for what Pharasma knows and doesn't know...well, since Aroden died, she hasn't really been viewed as a goddess of fate anymore. She never gave anyone the head's up about his death, leading people to postulate that she either didn't know it was going to happen, or she did and didn't tell anyone, and let the ensuing chaos erupt around her. Either way, if I remember correctly, a lot of people (Pharasmians themselves included), have stopped believing in the prophetic side of the Grey Lady (citation needed).
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Hmmm, this entire prophecy was calculated to make me want to buy the Great Beyond Guide...
Been doing some brainstorming and making up my own rules for the Boneyard.
Those who enter the Boneyard cannot leave (excepting Pharasma's messengers, consistent with Greek & Sumerian myth). Easiest method seems to be to ride the River of Souls to the Boneyard by locating it on the Astral Plane, though a conflict with angels seems to be in order as they're tasked to protect the souls. Assuming they can bypass this challenge, the living cannot enter the Boneyard with physical belongings, for those in this realm have nothing.
The exception would be the sword because it is a soul, creating a loophole. Once in, finding a gravestone in the midst of millions may be impossible without aid.
Option 1: "Cut" to the front of the soul's line to be judged (the souls don't care), and it could offend Pharasma that one not dead wishes to be judged before their time, leading her to direct them to be buried in the graveyard. While they are being committed to a dire eternity here, they can strike the sword on the gravestone).
Option 2: Wielder now lets Armag possess him, and in this place, Armag as a soul enters the body rather than simply control it. The player's soul is free to find its gravestone. Once located, it must overpower Armag and reclaim the body in order to strike the gravestone before the Boneyard saps all memory and desire. Of course, the player can never leave this realm under its own power. In the alternative, Armag may, however unlikely, be reasoned with as he's got no escape except through death, but try convincing a warlord who thought himself immortal...
Escape: Resurrection or the like to petition the return of the soul. However, if this is done, because the soul entered here willingly, another must take its place (the Inanna myth).
Hmmm, this entire prophecy was calculated to make me want to buy the Great Beyond Guide...
Been doing some brainstorming and making up my own rules for the Boneyard.
Those who enter the Boneyard cannot leave (excepting Pharasma's messengers, consistent with Greek & Sumerian myth). Easiest method seems to be to ride the River of Souls to the Boneyard by locating it on the Astral Plane, though a conflict with angels seems to be in order as they're tasked to protect the souls. Assuming they can bypass this challenge, the living cannot enter the Boneyard with physical belongings, for those in this realm have nothing.
The exception would be the sword because it is a soul, creating a loophole. Once in, finding a gravestone in the midst of millions may be impossible without aid.
Option 1: "Cut" to the front of the soul's line to be judged (the souls don't care), and it could offend Pharasma that one not dead wishes to be judged before their time, leading her to direct them to be buried in the graveyard. While they are being committed to a dire eternity here, they can strike the sword on the gravestone).
Option 2: Wielder now lets Armag possess him, and in this place, Armag as a soul enters the body rather than simply control it. The player's soul is free to find its gravestone. Once located, it must overpower Armag and reclaim the body in order to strike the gravestone before the Boneyard saps all memory and desire. Of course, the player can never leave this realm under its own power. In the alternative, Armag may, however unlikely, be reasoned with as he's got no escape except through death, but try convincing a warlord who thought himself immortal...
Escape: Resurrection or the like to petition the return of the soul. However, if this is done, because the soul entered here willingly, another must take its place (the Inanna myth).
Remember, resurrection only works if Pharasma says so ;)
Flavor wise, if your rez spell fails, its because the Gray Lady blocked it.
Don't Rez block me Sis!
Sorry I had to...
Don't Rez block me Sis!
Sorry I had to...
Pharasma: "I got you! Diagonally!"
But back on topic: I forgot to mention that I think Urgathoa is the only one to ever escape the Boneyard's que.
But that's just Pathfinder - its your game, and the way the Boneyard works is ultimatly uup to you :)
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Most attempts to venture into the Underworld in myth ended badly, except for Heracles, but he's the son of Zeus so it was expected. I think my players are fearing the same, but they've concluded there's no way the barbarian hordes are going to raise Armag III.
I think it would make sense that the player knows (if I go with the "another must take your place") before making the call to accept or deny. My players are pretty good with things like this. I'm curious to see how it plays out. Already getting questions on Plane Shifting.