Tales from Talaveroth

As you finally make it to the roof of the Lighthouse, you immediately feel the wind violently rail against you. A large structure takes up the centre of the roof, with a glass sphere in the centre. A soft light glows magically from the centre, casting a shadow towards you. You see an elderly man in red robes, carrying a heavy leather-bound book and simple staff. He looks at you without expression. "There are no jobs anymore. And no friends. Everything is a trap. Everyone is a lie. Let Oleg wait outside. It is better that he never knows what has become of the church. Let him live the rest of his life in peace. As for me, there is no peace." 

He then stares straight at you and begins to chant a line, over and over again. "This god that I worship, this demon I blame, conspire as one, exactly the same."

(It's likely Si'Juul would know if he could make an accurate shot even in these winds, so is that possible?)

(Yes, the winds are pulling at your clothes but an experienced fighter like Si'Juul could make the shot.)

Si'Juul will then take a shot at the glowing orb.

Whispering under his breath, "....hate magic"

Attack: 15

Damage: 8

The shot bounces harmlessly off the sphere. 

Si'Juul just sighs silently into the winds. He holsters his pepperbox and heads back down to the group.

"Gone mad....yeah, you could say that", he says to nobody in particular.

He sits down next to Poinki, leaning back against the brazier, waiting for him to wake up but being careful not to disturb his rest.

(Everyone can take a short rest.)

Elhanna slumps down beside the two and sight as well. “This is gonna be a though one I tell you. The church of illmater is helping a lot of people, I mean even my church get help from them from time to time.. but we can’t let a demon roam free and gaining power. We simply can’t. We need to expose the truth and stop Abraxas. In the long run he is going to be the bigger threat.” She shut her eyes and rest for a while. 

"I have an idea....I will explain once everyone has rested and is ready."

Si'Juul just stares at the floor in thought.

Poinki wakes up after a short nap feeling much better.  He still has no prayers left, but feels that Ilmater will help him to try and convince the priest to return to rationality.

(Heals 1 hd worth: 5

Elhanna regains 8 hp and focus on her pendent she got on the sea. She whispers “bazinga” and feel how the power fills her up and she regain some of her magical power. (Regaining a second level spell slot)

Twitch immediately started to have a look at the book the old lady mentioned, a plan forming in her mind as well. When the others were ready, she'd look to Si'Juul, and then the others: "I think we can all agree that we can't let a demon gain power. I also think we can agree that we don't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater and ruin all the good work the church does. Si'Juul, you said you had an idea there, mind sharing it with the rest of us? I might have a plan as well, but I'm curious to see what you have in mind. Maybe it might even be possible to help the old man upstairs."

"More like to get the madman downstairs. Poinki, you still got that potion? You and I could head up and drag the crazed man down to Oleg. And from there we let him decide his fate. Or if not, we at least get him into this room and end him. Then you can do as you please with this book."

Twitch's brow would furrow: "I'm sorry, but no. I've got no issue with dispensing mercy on those that have finished with their lives, but I don't want to force this man to do something against his will, particularly since I think his madness stems from the fact that he sees no possibility around the conundrum of the church. If we can come up with a solution that will let him see the light and perhaps gets him to support us, I'd wager he would follow us willingly." Looking around at the others, she'd clear her throat.

"A fish rots from its head, but as long as the roots are strong, a plant can recover. What these mixed metaphors are trying to say is this: We need to do something about the corrupt members. But as long as there are enough people like Oleg, Poinki, or even Father Ephesian, the church can survive. Elhanna, I feel that exposing the truth will do incredible harm, and it's what Father Ephesian sees as one horn of his current dilemma. But what if we manage to prove the corruption of the members individually, perhaps over a longer period of time. A scandal here, a public outcry there, and we slowly whittle away at the leadership, by attacking them as individuals, rather than as representatives of the church. We need to provide the people with someone powerful within the church that is beyond reproach at the same time though, as a way to separate the corrupt from the true. It might take a while, but the corrupt will face justice, the demon will be stopped, and the church will survive. What do you think?"

The book that Twitch is reading is a history of the church of Ilmater. A leather bookmark lets her open to a page that speaks about a time when a group of church members rebelled against their vows. They conspired against the other members and began to divert power to an ancient demon named Abraxas in order to gain power and longer lives. The tome talks about how the corrupt individuals were originally driven out but warns that their methods may lead to them surviving in secret. A praticular phrase in the book is highlighted, "The god that i worship, the demon I blame, conspire as one, exactly the same."

"He was spouting that drivel when I left him up there. So what's the plan? Drag him here and finish him off, or try to get him to Oleg? I honestly have no preference either way."

"Poinki try to talk to him?" Poinki suggests. "Father upset, maybe we offer to help fix Ilmater church, get rid of demon-lovers. Save the good."

Twitch looked at Poinki, smiling shily: "Yes, that's the short of what I was hoping to propose. As a fellow follower of Ilmater, I'd think you could do well to try and calm him. Maybe enough to let Oleg see him. I want to avoid force, if possible."

"I don't expect that to work. Not to mention the strong winds still up there."

"Still, have to try," says Poinki "Ilmater like peace more than fight. Not know if it better for you to come with, or go alone. You decide."

Poinki heads up the stairs to meet Father Ephesian.

"Father!" he calls. "Poinki know why you sad. Poinki grow up in goblin tunnels, sad. All greed there, all fight, hurt, anger. Poinki meet heroes, find new way. Ilmater show new way. Now Poinki end suffering, greed. Protect people for Ilmater. Church still help people, feed hungry, protect poor. Ending church wrong, must end bad people, end demon! We help! Take back church for good! Not let Ilmater's church be demon den and goblin tunnel! We fight for Ilmater and church. You wise, know enemy. Be hero with us!"

Persuasion 18 +5 Emmissary of Peace